The Aus/NZ/Asian Drug Busts Mega-Thread El Número Cuatro

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Over 30 kilograms of precursor drugs seized in NSW and VIC

Last week Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) officers in New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria (VIC) seized approximately 32 kilograms of ephedrine.

The drugs were detected in 14 separate consignments from Hong Kong, China, India and Ireland at the NSW International Mail Centre, the NSW Air Cargo facility and the VIC Air Cargo facility between Monday 20 and Sunday 26 May.
ACBPS officers found ephedrine concealed inside bags of sugar, sanding machines, steel rods, foodstuffs, packets of oatmeal, bags of tea, pistons, tape dispensers, packets of coffee, zip lock bags and clear plastic envelopes.
Ephedrine is a precursor drug used to manufacture illegal amphetamine-type substances such as "ice". Importing ephedrine without a permit is prohibited.
“If you are caught importing a border controlled precursor such as ephedrine, you could face a fine of up to $510,000 or 15 years in prison,” said ACBPS National Manager Cargo Operations, Jagtej Singh.
“No matter how these prohibited substances are concealed, our highly trained officers have the intelligence, technology and expertise to detect these dangerous drugs, seize them at the border and stop them from entering our communities.”
Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicious behaviour to Customs Watch on 1800 06 1800.
Media note: Images of the seizure are available in the image gallery on the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service website. Please attribute images to: Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/130528mediarelease_precursor.asp

 

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Two men face Brisbane court on drug import charges

Two Hong Kong nationals have appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court charged with importing illegal drugs.

Tsz Kong Pang, 17, and Wan Hao Wu, 46, were allegedly found carrying three kilograms of methamphetamines when they arrived at Brisbane International Airport yesterday.

Australian Federal Police (AFP) alleges the drugs were concealed by the man and woman in two suitcases with false bottoms.

The pair did not apply for bail and have been remanded in custody to face court again next month.

The AFP says two other people have been arrested in Hong Kong in connection with the matter.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-03/two-men-face-brisbane-court-on-drug-import-charges/4730122

 

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Pair to front court over 'ice' stash

Two men from Melbourne are due to appear in the Ararat Magistrates Court today on drug charges.

Horsham police stopped a car at Dimboola Road and High Street for a routine check early yesterday morning.

Officers searched the car and it is alleged they found 80 grams of 'ice' and three grams of heroin.

Both men were remanded in custody overnight.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-03/pair-to-front-court-accused-of-ice-stash/4728496

 

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Eight arrested, drugs, cash seized - Strike Force Ballista

Police have arrested eight men and have seized cash, firearms, and almost 4.5kg of drugs during raids by State Crime Command’s Asian Crime Squad overnight.


Strike Force Ballista was established by the Asian Crime Squad, in partnership with the NSW Crime Commission, in May last year to investigate a high-level organised crime network.


During the course of those investigations, detectives identified a syndicate involved in the alleged supply of: the drug ‘Ice’ and ContacNT (a precursor chemical used to manufacture ‘Ice’, pseudoephedrine).


Following search warrants and arrests on Wednesday (5 June 2013) during which four men were arrested and drugs and firearms were seized, late yesterday, (Friday 7 June 2013), Asian Crime Squad detectives, assisted by other State Crime Command squads, South West Metropolitan Region, and the Tactical Operations Unit (TOU), executed simultaneous search warrants on six properties at Hurstville, Concord West, Strathfield, Rhodes, Croydon and Burwood.


The search warrants led to police locating and seizing about 4.5kg of drugs, a stun gun, a luxury sedan, and more than $110,000 cash.


The men, aged between 22 and 25, have been charged with multiple offences.


A 22-year-old man from Hurstville has been charged with 13 offences:

• Supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity – not cannabis) (seven counts);

• Supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity);

• Supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity);

• Supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity);

• Supply a prohibited drug;

• Recklessly deal with property becomes instrument of crime; and,

• Possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit.

He was bail refused to appear in Parramatta Bail Court today (8 June 2013).


A 22-year-old man from Campsie has been charged with intentionally import tier 1 goods. He was refused bail to appear in Parramatta Bail Court today (8 June 2013).


A 22-year-old man from Rhodes has been charged with two offences:

• Supply a prohibited drug; and,

• Participate in a criminal group contribute criminal activity

He was bail refused to appear in Parramatta Bail Court today (Saturday 8 June 2013).


A 22-year-old man from Burwood has been charged with three offences:

• Participate in a criminal group, contribute criminal activity; and,

• Supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity ¬– not cannabis) (two counts).

He was bail refused to appear in Parramatta Bail Court today (Saturday 8 June 2013).


A 23-year-old man from Auburn has been charged with four offences:

• Supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity);

• Resist police;

• Assault police; and,

• Participate in a criminal group contribute criminal activity.

He was bail refused to appear in Parramatta Bail Court today (Saturday 8 June 2013).


A 22-year-old man from Croydon has been charged with six offences:

• Supply a prohibited drug (two counts);

• Possess a prohibited drug (three counts); and,

• Deal with the proceeds of crime.

He was refused bail and will appear in Parramatta Bail Court tomorrow (Sunday 9 June).


A 22-year-old man from Hurstville has been charged with conceal a serious indictable offence. He was granted conditional bail to appear in Sutherland Local Court on 21 June 2013.


A 25-year-old man was arrested at Burwood and was confirmed to be an unlawful non-citizen. He has been taken to Villawood Detention Centre.


Asian Crime Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Scott Cook, said today’s seizures and arrests served as another example of the ongoing police effort to disrupt and dismantle the drug supply chains of organised criminal networks.


“This investigation has resulted in some great outcomes for the community. The seizure of large amounts of drugs and firearms has prevented these illicit commodities being distributed on the streets,” Det Supt Cook said.


“As equally important detectives have been able to dismantle two criminal networks by arresting and charging those who will be alleged to have been integral to the ongoing supply of both firearms and drugs within NSW.


“Police in NSW are adapting to an ever changing criminal environment which has seen criminal groups move increasingly across ethnic and cultural taboos to a more business orientated model of criminality that is focused on profit.


“I would like to congratulate the police involved in this ongoing operation, the achievements thus far have been fantastic for the community they serve. But there is still more to do.”


“The Asian Crime Squad will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to ensure that organised crime networks operating in NSW are identified and dismantled,” Det Supt Cook said.


To date, Strike Force Ballista has resulted in the arrests of 12 men for a total of 51 charges and the seizure of:

• Almost 50kg of drugs including ICE;

• 15 firearms, a sword and a stun gun; and,

• More than 2000 rounds of ammunition.


Strike Force Ballista is continuing its investigation into organised criminal networks and further arrests are anticipated for the supply of illicit commodities.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/m...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjMwNzI5Lmh0bWwmYWxsPTE=

 

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Media Release: Two men charged for importing 57 kilograms of methamphetamine

Two men are scheduled to appear in Sydney Central Local Court today, charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) with importing approximately 57 kilograms methamphetamine into Australia.

It is estimated that the methamphetamine had a potential street value of up to $42 million.

The operation began last week when Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) officers inspected a shipping container containing aquarium supplies that had arrived into Sydney from China.

Upon inspection of the container, ACBPS officers located four hessian bags containing a crystalline substance among similar bags of aquarium pebbles.

Initial testing of the substance returned a positive reading for methamphetamine.

The matter was referred to the AFP for further investigation.

Yesterday (11 June 2013), the AFP conducted a controlled delivery of the container to a warehouse in Hurstville.

The AFP subsequently executed a search warrant in Belfield where the two men were arrested.

ACBPS National Manager Cargo Operations Jagtej Singh said the arrests highlighted the importance of law enforcement agencies working together at the border.

"Customs and Border Protection officers have again stopped an illegal shipment of dangerous drugs reaching Australian streets" Mr Singh said.

"Our solid partnership with the AFP is an important step in disrupting this illicit trade".

AFP Manager Crime Operations Jennifer Hurst said the AFP will continue to work with its counterparts to apprehend those responsible for importing drugs into Australia.

"The success of this investigation sends a strong message to both Australian-based and international drug syndicates," Commander Hurst said.

"The outcome of this joint operation has helped disrupt the flow of illegal narcotics in Sydney, and potentially across Australia".

A 28-year-old and 26-year-old man, both from Lidcombe, were charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to Section 307.5 of the Criminal Code Act 1995, by virtue of Section 11.1.

The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment and/or a $1,275,000 fine.


http://www.afp.gov.au/media-centre/...th-importing-57kgs-Meth-aquarium-pebbles.aspx

 

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Lucky arrest: drug package had broken open inside woman

A woman is lucky to be alive after a bag containing 115 grams of ice burst inside her as she attempted to board a domestic flight to Western Australia.

Police from the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad received a tip-off about an alleged drug smuggling operation and intercepted the 27-year-old woman as she tried to board a flight at Sydney Domestic Airport on Wednesday morning.

She was taken to hospital just in case there were some issues.

She was bound for the major gold mining town of Kalgoorlie and had allegedly secreted the package of methylamphetamine inside her.

The drugs had an estimated street value of $46,000-$92,000.

When she was arrested and the package was removed, officers discovered that it had partially ruptured.

"The package was seized and was shown to have broken open, so she was taken to hospital just in case there were some issues – but she is fine," a police spokeswoman said.

The woman was released from Prince of Wales Hospital on Wednesday afternoon and charged with supplying a prohibited drug greater than indictable quantity.

She will appear in Kogarah Local Court next month.

Around 50 milligrams of ice can be considered a lethal dose. Drug smugglers have died from having as little as one gram secreted inside them.

An overdose causes a rapid onset of physiological deterioration that eventually leads to a heart attack or stroke.


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/lucky-arr...nside-woman-20130613-2o5md.html#ixzz2W3XcbMNb

 

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Guys no chatting about the articles in this thread please, it's been a rule for ages.

Just copy the part of the article you wish to discuss and quote it and then discuss it over on the the drug bust discussion thread, just so everyone knows, it saves this thread from having anything but busts in it, thanks.. Last post on the drug bust discussion thread is here -

http://www.bluelight.ru/vb/threads/...ION-thread?p=11580969&viewfull=1#post11580969

 

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Drug-making ringleader jailed for two decades

The ringleader of a large-scale drug-manufacturing scheme has been jailed for at least 20 years.

The Adelaide District Court heard police raided a warehouse at suburban Salisbury Plain in March 2010 and found it being used as a commercial methylamphetamine factory.

Dino Scarpantoni, 41, was found guilty of manufacturing a large commercial quantity of methylampethetime for sale.

Judge Simon Stretton said Scarpantoni was a principal in the operation and stood to receive a significant portion of the multi-million-dollar proceeds.

"Overall the circumstantial evidence established that you were involved in the set-up through negotiation and purchase of items for the lab over a number of months, the financing of at least around $40,000 of equipment and chemicals that likely needed to be paid for by account or transfer rather than cash, hands-on production of the drug, provision of mobile phones for use at the lab and spoke of the enterprise in terms highly-indicative of you being a principal in it," he said.

The court heard two other men found at the warehouse during the police raid previously were sentenced for their roles but neither was considered a major player.

Judge Stretton said it was outrageous Scarpantoni had committed the offences while on pre-release home detention for other drug offending.

"The community would be rightly outraged at the seriousness of your current offending and for the obvious contempt it shows for the law, for the merciful non-parole period imposed by the previous judge and for the pre-release and parole undertakings that you unfortunately so comprehensively breached," he said.

"The actual and potential destruction to people, lives and the South Australian community of a factory pumping out the massive quantities of methylamphetamine that this one plainly was, can hardly be imagined."

The court sentenced Scarpantoni to 25 years in jail, with a total of 27 years for unexpired parole.

A minimum term of 20 years was set, with the judge saying Scarpantoni had shown no remorse.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-13/drug-scheme-principal-jailed-for-two-decades/4751624

 

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Customs officers seize steroids and weapons at Perth Airport - 13 June 2013

Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) officers have stopped two men from illegally importing performance and image enhancing drugs (PIEDs) and weapons through Perth Airport this week (10 and 11 June 2013).

ACBPS officers seized a combined quantity of almost 12,000 tablets and 480mL of prohibited steroids, two flick knives and paintball gun parts.

On Monday 10 June, officers stopped a 38 year old man Perth man, who had arrived on a flight from Thailand, for a baggage examination.

During the baggage examination, officers found 7500 capsules of steroids for which the man did not have a permit to import.

In a separate incident on Tuesday 11 June 2013, a 26 year old Iranian man, travelling from Iran, was stopped for a baggage examination when an x-ray of his bag identified anomalies.

During the examination ACBPS officers seized 142 vials, 4310 capsules and two bottles of illegally imported steroids, along with two flick knives and paintball gun parts.

Both men have been interviewed and face the prospect of prosecution.

“Every day Customs and Border Protection protects our communities from illegal imports such as steroids and weapons”, ACBPS National Manager Airport Operations South, Tonie Differding said.

“The prosecution these men may face is a stark warning to others that illegal importation of these items is taken very seriously”.

It is illegal to import PIEDs without a permit. Those caught attempting to import prohibited substances such as steroids could face fines of up to $170,000 and up to five years in prison.

The maximum penalty for importing knives without a permit is up to 10 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $425,000.

The maximum penalty for importing paintball gun parts is a fine up to $170,000.

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/130613mediarelease_perthseizures.asp

 

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Five men arrested following investigation into supply of prohibited drugs, firearms - Dubbo

***Editors’ note: Multimedia vision of today’s warrants and arrests will be issued via YouSendIt later today. Still images will also be distributed later today.***

Police have arrested five men aged between 25 and 35 years following a six-month investigation into illicit drugs and firearms matters in Dubbo.

Detectives from Orana Local Area Command formed Strike Force Lavarack in December 2012 to investigate the alleged importation and supply of Alpha-PVP. This is a prohibited amphetamine-like drug known on the streets as “bath salts”.

Police will allege in court that a number of men have been ordering the drug online from Asia, and supplying it in the Dubbo area.

It will be further alleged the men have been illegally supplying firearms.

Starting about 11.30am today (Thursday 13 June 2013), officers from Orana Local Area Command, assisted by the Tactical Operations Unit and Australian Federal Police, executed search warrants at five addresses in Dubbo.

During the searches, police seized a large quantity of prohibited drugs, including about 3kg of white powder, believed to be Alpha-PVP, as well as other drugs, property and cash.

The drugs seized have an estimated street value of about $900,000.

The five men arrested were taken to Dubbo Police Station.

Investigators are looking at a number of charges including the supply of prohibited drugs (large commercial quantity).

Strike Force Lavarack is an ongoing investigation with further arrests anticipated.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/m...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjMwODIwLmh0bWwmYWxsPTE=

 

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Two charged over cannabis in sweet bag

Detectives from Operation Vida have charged a 35 year-old woman and an 18 year-old male with supply cannabis and possess a trafficable amount of cannabis.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Stephen Pfitzner said the two were arrested following investigations into 61 grams of cannabis secreted in a mixed lolly bag destined for a remote aboriginal community.

“The package was discovered on May 23rd and it was very good Police work to find the alleged offenders so soon and without any positive leads early in the investigation.

Police will allege the mother and son team went to great lengths to disguise the true contents of the package and warn that Operation Vida will continue to target people who supply cannabis to remote communities for profit.

http://www.pfes.nt.gov.au/Media-Cen...2/Two-charged-over-cannabis-in-sweet-bag.aspx

 

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Police charge pair over ecstasy haul - Dee Why

Police have charged a man and woman over the seizure of more than 700 ecstasy tablets and cocaine on Sydney’s northern beaches yesterday.

About 5.30pm (Friday 15 June), police arrested a 20-year-old woman outside a unit block on Avon Road.

The woman was searched and police allegedly located more than 700 ecstasy tablets. They also found a small amount of cocaine.

Officers arrested the woman before conducting a search of one of the units.

Police allegedly found a further 15 grams of ecstasy, six grams of cocaine, a pellet gun, cash and several mobile phones.

A man, aged 22, was also arrested at the scene and they were both taken to Dee Why Police Station.

They have been charged with supplying a commercial quantity of ecstasy. The man has also been charged with having the proceeds of crime in relation to the money found.

The pair has been refused bail and will appear at Parramatta Local Court later today.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/m...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjMwODU1Lmh0bWwmYWxsPTE=

 

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Two arrested for drug manufacture, clandestine drug laboratory uncovered - Strike Force Ballista

Detectives investigating the manufacture and supply of prohibited drugs have arrested two men, located a clandestine drug laboratory and seized drugs with an estimated potential street value of more than $5 million.

Strike Force Ballista comprises the NSW Police Force Asian Crime Squad in partnership with the NSW Crime Commission.

Yesterday afternoon (Monday 17 June 2013), detectives stopped a taxi at Beverley Hills and spoke with the two male passengers.

Police seized two sports bags containing about 16kg of methylamphetamine (‘ice’), as well as $3000 cash. The drugs have an estimated potential street value of more than $3.5 million.

Just after 7.30pm, detectives executed a search warrant on a home at Stoney Creek Road, Beverley Hills.

Preliminary examinations have revealed a large-scale clandestine laboratory inside, with various drug precursors, drug manufacturing equipment and more than 10kg of completed methylamphetamine, with an estimated potential street value of more than $2.2 million.

Specialist officers from the Drug Squad’s Chemical Operations Team and Hazmat officers have commenced processing the site today.

Meanwhile, the men, aged 55 and 39, were taken to St George Police Station and charged with supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), manufacture prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), and possess apparatus for drug manufacture.

They were refused bail to appear at Kogarah Local Court today.

Asian Crime Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Scott Cook said officers attached to Strike Force Ballista would continue their investigations.

“Together with our partner agencies, we are having great success in preventing illegal commodities from being traded on the street and putting numerous people before the court,” Det Supt Cook said.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/m...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjMwODg4Lmh0bWwmYWxsPTE=

 

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Four face court over $13 million of methamphetamine imported from China

Three men and one woman accused of attempting to import up to $13 million worth of drugs into Perth have appeared in court.

Li Chun Huang, Chung Yin Tam, Jacky Lee and Michael Quoc Hong Ly were arrested earlier this year during an operation involving federal police, the Australian Crime Commission and Customs officers.

Officers intercepted 35 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in 17 pallets of ceramic tiles in a sea container at the Fremantle Port.

The container had been imported from China.

The four were not required to plead to charges of attempting to possess a border controlled drug and have been remanded to appear again next month.

The offences carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-19/group-face-court-over-millions-in-drug-haul/4765922

 

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Adelaide teenager avoids jail over trafficking illegal drugs

A teenager who sold drugs to his friends has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Dominic Parrella, 19, pleaded guilty to three counts of drug trafficking after he was found with 137 ecstasy tablets, six tablets of methylamphetamine and more than 40 bags of cannabis.

The Adelaide District Court was told the drugs cost Parrella and his cousin more than $1,000 each and they had planned to use some and sell the rest to friends.

Judge Peter Brebner said the street value of the drugs was about $4,500 and it was clear Parrella intended making some illegal pocket money.

He said the teenager's arrest had been a wake-up call and the young man had stopped taking drugs.

The judge suspended a jail sentence of two years and seven months, fined Parrella $3,000 and imposed an 18-month bond.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-19/adelaide-teenager-avoids-jail-over-illegal-drugs/4765244

 

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Media release: Man arrested for importing liquid drug GBL

A man is scheduled to appear in the Lismore Magistrates Court today in relation to the import of approximately 25 litres of liquid Gammabutyrolactone (GBL) with an estimated street value of $180,000.

AFP officers conducted a controlled delivery to a residential address in South Golden Beach NSW last Friday (14 June) where the man was arrested.

The 29-year-old Byron Bay man has been charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled substance, namely Gammabutyrolactone, contrary to subsection 307.5(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), by virtue of subsection 11.1.

Australia Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) officers selected the package for examination when it arrived into Australia from China earlier this month.

The package was found to contain a liquid substance hidden in a blue container. Initial testing indicated the substance to be GBL.
GBL, known as ‘coma in a bottle’, metabolises into the drug gamma-hydoxybutryate (GHB) in the body. It can cause abrupt loss of consciousness, memory loss, respiratory difficulties, coma and death.

ACBPS National Manager Cargo Operations Jagtej Singh congratulated officers on stopping this illicit drug from reaching the streets.

“This detection is yet another example of the commitment of our highly-skilled Customs and Border Protection officers to protecting the Australian community,” Mr Singh said.

AFP Manager Crime Operations Jennifer Hurst said the AFP remains committed to disrupting the activities of people attempting to import illicit drugs.

“The size of this seizure and the amount of harm it could potentially have caused cannot be understated,” Commander Hurst said.

“This seizure should send a strong warning to criminals that if you participate in illegal activities you will be caught.”

The maximum penalty is life imprisonment and/or $1,275,000 fine.

http://www.afp.gov.au/media-centre/...n-arrested-for-importing-liquid-drug-gbl.aspx

 

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20kg of cannabis seized from Stockton home

Police have uncovered a large amount of cannabis during a search of a Stockton home.

Officers from the drug unit searched the Flint Street house on Wednesday and allegedly found cannabis being dried on lines strung from the ceiling in one of the bedrooms.

Two men and a woman have been charged with supplying a prohibited drug, but police say the charges are likely to be upgraded once the exact weight of the cannabis is determined.

Senior Constable Juan Mahony says the total haul is believed to weigh about 20 kilograms.

"I'd like people to visualise the Scharpelle Corby thing, the four kilo boogie board bag full of cannabis, it was a fair amount of cannabis," he said.

"And what the police have turned up at Flint Street at Stockton is approximately 20 kilograms.

"That's five times the amount."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-20/20kg-of-cannabis-seized-from-stockton-home/4768390

 

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Media Release: Two arrested for importing methamphetamine in garden hoses

This is a joint Australian Federal Police, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and Australian Crime Commission media release.

A joint operation has resulted in the arrest overnight of two people who have been charged with importing more than 13 kilograms of pure methamphetamine concealed in garden hoses.

The operation began in February 2013 when Australian Customs and Border Protection Service officers intercepted a consignment of garden products, which arrived into Sydney in sea cargo. Within the consignment were a number of garden hoses which contained an unidentified liquid. Initial testing confirmed that this liquid was methamphetamine.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) commenced an investigation to identify the people responsible for the importation.

As a result of investigations, AFP officers arrested a 47 year-old Canley Heights male on the 1st of March 2013. The male was charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of unlawfully imported border controlled drugs contrary to section 307.5 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth)

Following ongoing investigations in partnership with the Australian Crime Commission, AFP officers last night (Thursday) arrested a 35-year-old Revesby man and a 36-year-old Revesby woman in connection with the importation. They were charged with the following offences:

Importing commercial quantities of border controlled drugs contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); and

Attempting to possess commercial quantities of unlawfully imported border controlled drugs contrary to section 307.5 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth)

The maximum penalty for these offences is life imprisonment and/or a $1,275,000 fine.

http://www.afp.gov.au/media-centre/...mporting-methamphetamine-in-garden-hoses.aspx

 

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Police seize over $900,000 worth of cannabis - Strike Force Zambesi

Police have charged two men and seized cannabis plants with a potential street value of almost $940,000 during a raid at St Andrews.

The joint operation involved officers from Macquarie Fields Detectives assisted by South West Metropolitan Region’s Strike Force Zambesi.

About 6.45pm on Thursday (20 June 2013) police stopped a white Toyota Camry sedan outside a home on Tummul Place at St Andrews.

After a search of the vehicle, two men were arrested and taken to Macquarie Fields Police Station.

A crime scene was established at the Tummul Place address.

About 8am yesterday (Friday 21 June 2013), a search warrant was executed at the home

A number of cannabis plants were found in the house, with an estimated potential street value of $937, 000. Police will allege the plants were being hydroponically cultivated.

A 28-year-old man was later charged with found on/entering/leaving drug premises – first offence. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Campbelltown Local Court on 15 July 2013.

A 36-year-old man was charged with cultivate prohibited plant, commercial quantity. He has been refused bail and will appear before Campbelltown Local Court on 14 August, 2013.

Strike Force Zambesi comprises officers from the South West Metropolitan’s Region Enforcement Squad and works in collaboration with Local Area Commands.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/m...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjMwOTU1Lmh0bWwmYWxsPTE=

 

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NZ - Ex EQC builder jailed over cocaine shipment

A father-of-two arrested with $1.2 million of cocaine in his possession was on the verge of tears as he was sent to jail today.

Wanaka builder, Cameron John Lockie, 36, was sentenced to two years and one month in prison when he appeared in the High Court in Christchurch.

He apologised for his "naive and stupid" actions that got him involved with a three kilogram shipment of drugs brought in from Mexico via Los Angeles.

Lockie had the suitcase in his possession in a car for a few minutes in Christchurch before police arrived and arrested him in 2011.

Justice Christian Whata was told by defence counsel Pip Hall QC, that Lockie had never wanted to be involved but had felt pressure to facilitate supply involving his boss at the Earthquake Commission by making the necessary introduction.

An affidavit had been supplied to the court before the sentencing, a month after Lockie's guilty plea in Christchurch on a charge of supplying the class A drug.

Lockie told Justice Whata: "You understand my place in this horrible story. I sincerely regret and apologise for my naive and stupid actions introducing these two people in this week of 2011.

"I also apologise to my family and the public for the pain, anguish and financial burden I have put upon them."

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Mr Hall said Lockie's wife had not come to Christchurch for the sentencing because she was "too psychologically fragile", but his parents had come from Auckland to support him.

"He has ruined his life and the life of his family. His remorse is for the damage he has wreaked on his wife, children and wider family," Mr Hall said.

Crown prosecutor Kathy Bell called for a sentence that reflected general deterrence as well as denunciation of Lockie's actions.

She said it was drug offending and should be taken seriously.

The Crown had called for a starting point of eight years before reductions were considered.

Justice Whata said Lockie had "stupidly helped a friend by providing a link between two people".

The cocaine shipment and its Mexican courier were intercepted by customs at Auckland International Airport, and some other substance was substituted for most of the drugs before it was monitored on its way into the country.

Others involved have been dealt with by the courts.

Justice Whata said the maximum sentence for supplying cocaine was life imprisonment.

The cocaine brought in had a street value of up to $1.2m.

He detailed the complicated arrangements that led to the shipment reaching Lockie in Christchurch.

He said Lockie was involved in search and rescue and he had been given 19 testimonials about his good character.

Lockie had not understood the consequences of what he was doing and denied being a "go-between" in a major drug deal.

His pre-sentence report recommended imprisonment because of the seriousness of the offending, but a doctor's report said home detention would be preferable. This would allow his wife to work fulltime while he cared for the children.

She had little support, and signs of post-natal depression. If Lockie were imprisoned, she did not know how she would cope. She would need medical support.

Justice Whata said Lockie did not stand to gain commercially from the drug dealing but had been a link man who brought together a supplier and prospective buyer. His account was that he was helping a friend.

Justice Whata said he would have ruled out a home-detention sentence even if it had been available.

"Drugs such as cocaine wreak a terrible toll on our community," he said.

He acknowledged Lockie's unblemished record and said he would be welcome back in his community after his release.

"You remain a good person. You made a mistake which I know you regret," he said.

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/ex-eqc-builder-jailed-over-cocaine-shipment-5477107