The Australian/NZ Drug Busts Mega-Thread Part Deux

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Police raid Rebels North Shore HQ

By Gillian Cannon
Sunday, 12 July 2009 1:16 PM

Police on Sydney’s Lower North Shore have raided a clubhouse of the Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG) allegedly seizing a substantial quantity of drugs and cash.

The Riot Squad, Dog Unit and Local Police swooped on the premises in Carlotta St, Artarmon, in the early hours of this morning.

Police headed to the Rebels clubhouse following the earlier arrest of a 33-year-old male driver after the discovery of drugs, an 'ice' pipe and an axe in his car.

The man was arrested and taken to Chatswood Police Station and questioned before being charged with a number of drug offences.

He was refused bail to appear in Parramatta Bail Court today.

As a result of follow up inquiries, local police - assisted by officers from the neighbouring Harbourside LAC– executed a search warrant on a building in Carlotta Street, Artarmon, about 2.40am today.

The property is allegedly used as the clubhouse of the North Sydney chapter of the Rebels OMCG.

Police searched the premises and 78 people who were on scene at the time. Officers allegedly seized quantities of various drugs, including almost 200 ecstasy tablets, cocaine, marijuana, LSD and amphetamines, as well as prescription drugs.

Approximately $7,800 cash was also located.

Four men, aged between 21 and 30, were subsequently issued notices to appear in court at a later date on drug possession matters.

A fifth man, aged 31, was ordered to appear in court on a date to be fixed for the offence of hindering a police officer in the execution of their duty.

Investigations by local detectives are continuing and police haven’t ruled out laying further charges.

Livenews.com.au

 

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Police yet to lay charges over latest drug bust

BY LOUIS ANDREWS
13/07/2009 7:01:00 AM

Charges are yet to be laid regarding a second large cannabis seizure in less than one week, but police say investigations are continuing.

Detectives from the Territory Investigations Group's drug team searched a home on Vickers Street, Flynn, on Friday afternoon and found an elaborate hydroponics set-up and cannabis with a street value of about $400,000.

ACT Policing said a Drugs of Dependence Act search warrant was executed at 12.40pm, and officers found the hydroponics lab in two rooms of the house.

No one was at home at the time of the raid.

Police seized 40 mature plants, which have been taken to the ACT Government's analytical laboratory.

The cannabis will be analysed before being destroyed.

It is also alleged electricity was illegally diverted to power the hydroponics lab.

The haul followed Monday's court appearance of a 25-year-old man on drugs charges after police seized cannabis plants, seeds and hydroponic equipment worth an estimated $200,000 from his Page home on July 5.

Police are investigating any possible links between the two hauls.

ACT Policing said on Friday at least one person of interest had been identified, and efforts were being made to track the individual down. But as of yesterday afternoon no charges had been laid.

A spokesman said police were still trying to find the person.

Canberra Times

 

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Drug Seizure Maningrida

Police at Maningrida have apprehended an influx of drug dealers entering the community over the past week.

Police arrested three men on Monday 4 July and apprehended a further three men yesterday.

After receiving information from members of the community on Monday, police executed a search warrant on a remote outstation, subsequently locating 400 grams of cannabis, with an approximate street value of $32 500 and a Toyota Landcruiser utility valued around $14 000.

Three men aged 29, 34 and 39-years-old were arrested and charged with a number of offences and have been bailed to appear in the Maningrida Court on 12 August.

Further community information supplied yesterday led to the arrest of three men from Darwin aged 21, 32, and 50-years-old.

Police seized about 51 grams of cannabis with an estimated street value of $5900, $10 040 in cash, and a Landrover Discovery valued at approximately $5000.

Two of the men were remanded in custody to appear in Darwin Magistrate’s Court today; a third man will be summonsed to appear in court at a later date and a fourth man received a drug infringement notice.

Superintendent Braam of the Northern Operational Services Division said she is happy with the assistance they have received from the community.

“We’re delighted that the Maningrida community is prepared to provide police information about drug runners. It shows how aware community members are of the impact that drugs have on their families and how it takes away money that should be used on more healthy alternatives – like food for their kids.

“We’ve previously declared our tough stance on drug and grog runners – and this is no exception, we’ve taken their cars and we’ll continue to do so – until these offenders get the message” she said.

NTFPES

Tip-offs lead cops to remote community drug deals

BY REBEKAH CAVANAGH
July 13th, 2009

POLICE have allegedly uncovered a sophisticated drug dealing operation in a remote Northern Territory community.

Police said the busts and subsequent arrests came following tip-offs from community members.

The police operation began in Maningrida, 370km east of Darwin, on Monday where three men, aged 29, 34 and 39, were arrested after a police search of a remote outstation in the Arnhem Land community allegedly found about 400g of cannabis.

A further three men suspected of being involved in running drugs into the community were taken into custody on Wednesday after police raided a Darwin home and seized $5900 worth of hash, more than $10,000 cash, and a LandRover Discovery.

Superintendent Helen Braam said without the help from the community the quick arrests would not have been possible.

"We're delighted that the Maningrida community is prepared to provide police information about drug runners," she said.

"It shows how aware community members are of the impact that drugs have on their families and how it takes away money that should be used on more healthy alternatives - like food for their kids".

NT News

 

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Drugs detected – Kensington Park

13 July 2009 06:59:27

Good work by Eastern Adelaide patrols overnight.

At about 2.45 am this morning, a patrol in the back streets of Kensington Park observed a male in dark clothing discard a white package as the patrol car approached.

The package was recovered by police and police will allege it contained a quantity of methamphetamine.

The man was searched and police further located more drugs, cash and mobile phones.

A 29 year old Kensington Park man was arrested and charged with trafficking in a controlled drug, fail to state name and hinder police.

He was bailed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court at a later date.

SA Police

 

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'Drug trafficker' Quaid applies for bail

July 13, 2009 - 4:08PM

A friend of AFL star Ben Cousins has applied for bail after being held in custody for more than a year, accused of drug trafficking.

Fabian Quaid is one of four men facing life sentences if convicted for conspiring to traffic 45kg of MDMA, also known as ecstasy.

Police allege Quaid arranged to take possession of the drugs and organise their distribution.

Dimitrios Papadimitriou, of Queensland, Rade Ljboja, of NSW, and Dejan Medan, of Victoria, along with Quaid are alleged to be members of an international drug syndicate which was the focus of a police operation that led to the drug bust.

Quaid's lawyer Laurie Levy told the Supreme Court in Perth during a bail application on Monday that his client had been in custody since May last year when he was arrested in Manly, near where he lived.

Mr Levy said Quaid had been held since March in a special handling unit at a Perth prison where he was handcuffed and had his feet shackled.

He said Quaid, who had represented Australia in Tae Kwon Do at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and was a personal trainer, had no ability to exercise in the unit, which was ``a prison within a prison''.

``He has no proper recreation, he has no oval,'' Mr Levy told the court.

Mr Levy said it was difficult for Quaid's legal team to prepare for his November trial with ``a mountain of material'' he needed to explain to his lawyers.

The prosecution case against Quaid was ``tenuous and weak'', he said, requesting Justice Rene Le Miere consider the option of home detention.

Commonwealth prosecutor Darren Renton opposed bail, saying it was ``inappropriate''.

Mr Renton said while there was no direct evidence from thousands of telephone calls made between members of the syndicate, much of it in code, it was linked with direct evidence.

He said the only rational inference to be drawn from the thousands of phone calls and hundreds of hours of surveillance was a conspiracy to traffic drugs.

Two federal agents gave evidence in the bail application but the details were suppressed.

Justice Le Miere has reserved his decision.

http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/drug-trafficker-quaid-applies-for-bail-20090713-dinb.html

 

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Accused Aust drug smuggler faces Bangkok court

Posted 1 hour 8 minutes ago

Two Thai police officers have given evidence in a Bangkok court against an Australian man who attempted to smuggle more than three kilograms of heroin into Australia last year.

Andrew Hood, 37, a former storeman from the Sydney suburb of Annandale, was arrested at Bangkok airport in December.

Hood was arrested by customs officials as he made his way to the departure lounge.

In court today, photos were produced showing bags of heroin taped to his body.

Reports say the heroin had an estimated street value of 12 million baht ($480,000).

In an earlier hearing in May, Hood, fearing the death penalty, pleaded guilty to the charges.

But he is unlikely to be given the death penalty.

He told the court in May there was "no way I'm fighting this one. You can't win. I've been informed by plenty of people."

A verdict is expected on August 5.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/13/2624735.htm?section=justin

 

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UK drug smuggler avoids jail

Christine Flatley | 25th June 2009

A BRITISH businessman will not serve any time in jail after pleading guilty to smuggling cocaine into Australia.

Andrew Hogan, 40, was arrested in August 2007 after arriving at Brisbane airport on a flight from Britain.

He was detained for a baggage search by Customs officers who had noticed him acting strangely when coming through immigration, the Brisbane District Court was told on Thursday.

A search of Hogan's toiletries revealed a package containing 33.6g of pure cocaine concealed in his talcum powder container.

He was arrested and told police it was for his personal use while on holiday in Australia.

Hogan pleaded guilty to one count of bringing a prohibited import into the country.

He was sentenced to 12 months jail, but released immediately on a $2,000, two-year good behaviour bond.

The court was told Hogan and his wife, who was in court to support him, will return immediately to England.

Queensland Times

 

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'Ice bus' exposed as cops pounce

Andrew Korner | 26th June 2009

POLICE searching a rural block near Ipswich stumbled across an old bus allegedly fitted out as a clandestine methylamphetamine lab.

Ipswich Tactical Crime Squad Sergeant Graham Patch said officers were searching a residence at Thagoona-Haigslea Road, Thagoona, about 12.30pm on Wednesday as part of a two-day operation targeting producers of illicit drugs.

Police said the bus contained glassware, two burners, a quantity of cold and flu tablets, and pre-cursor chemicals - all of which were allegedly used to extract pseudoephedrine to make the drug ice.

A 32-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman were detained while scientific examinations took place and the equipment was dismantled.

The man was later charged with production of dangerous drugs and possession of items used in connection with a crime.

He will appear in Ipswich Magistrates Court on August 3.

Sgt Patch said police from Ipswich Tactical Crime Squad, the Criminal Investigation Branch and Child Protection Investigation Unit joined forces to conduct operation Garter this week.

Along with drugs, the operation netted cash and illegal weapons including a taser and nunchakus.

“Police executed 18 search warrants and arrested 15 people on 38 charges,” Sgt Patch said.

Among those was a 24-year-old Redbank Plains man, charged with production and possession of marijuana after police allegedly uncovered a hydroponic setup including lights, fans and growth chemicals.

Sgt Patch said four plants and 247g of green leaf were also found at the Hallets Road house.

In another property search at Old Ipswich Road, Raceview, police seized $1500 cash and 700g of marijuana heads.

The illegal weapons were found at a house at Beechwood Road, Yamanto.

Queensland Times

 

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Drug lab accused has priors

11th July 2009

A MAN accused of running an amphetamine laboratory out of a Rosewood house has been refused bail after a magistrate heard he'd just finished a stint on parole for a similar offence.

Police claimed Lex Poore, 50, made admissions in an interview regarding the alleged clandestine amphetamine lab and hydroponic marijuana-growing equipment, which were discovered during the search of a Matthew Street residence about 6pm on Thursday.

Ipswich Magistrates Court heard Poore arrived at the house in a car while the raid was in progress.

He is charged with producing amphetamines, and possessing pre-cursor chemicals and equipment for the manufacture of the drug.

Defence lawyer Ross Summers said his client was under duress during the interview.

However Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin said the case against Poore was strong and his criminal history a concern.

“Given he has only completed parole in the last year or so, the inference is that Poore is a long-time amphetamine producer,” Mr McLaughlin said.

Poore and co-accused Mark Shane Parker, 48, and Melissa Anne Barnett, 25, were all remanded to appear for committal mention on October 7.

Queensland Times
Previous post

 

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Darwin drug sting nets 12kg of cannabis

11:24 AEST Tue Jul 14 2009
2 hours 14 minutes ago
By Tara Ravens

A major drug sting in Darwin has netted 12 kilograms of cannabis, $92,300 in cash and three cars, prompting the Northern Territory to issue a warning to organised crime.

Five people have also been arrested since last Thursday, when detectives first noticed a 55-year-old male in scrubland off the Cox Peninsular Road.

He was allegedly selling 1.36 kilograms of cannabis to a 37-year-old man about 11am (CST), police said.

The younger man was arrested by police a short time later and charged with a number of drug offences, including possessing cannabis in a commercial quantity.

He was bailed to appear in Darwin Magistrates Court on August 4.

About 2.30pm the next day, detectives again followed the 55-year-old to the scrubland.

He was arrested and searched after a short chase on foot, with police discovering a further 1.8 kilograms of cannabis.

The man was charged with supplying a trafficable quantity of cannabis, possessing a commercial quantity of cannabis and being an unlicensed shooter.

He was bailed to appear in Darwin magistrates court on July 30.

Detectives also seized the man's car, along with two more cars that were in the bush at the time of the arrest.

A search of the cars uncovered a total of $22,300 in cash, and resulted in charges against a man and a woman, both aged 38.

Detectives also trawled the bushland and uncovered a further nine kilograms of cannabis.

The final arrest took place about 1pm on Monday when a 50-year-old man was tracked down at the Darwin International Airport as he attempted to board a plane to Adelaide.

Police allegedly found $70,000 in the man's possession, believed to have been obtained from the sale of cannabis.

The man was charged with possessing tainted property and will appear in the Darwin Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

"Members of the Drug and Organised Crime Division will continue to target, disrupt and dismantle organised crime groups," said NT Acting Commander Peter Bravos, from the Crime and Specialist Support Command.

Overall, seven search warrants were carried out and police seized about 12 kilograms of cannabis worth about $250,000.

They also seized $92,300 worth of cash and three vehicles.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/837217/darwin-drug-sting-nets-12kg-of-cannabis

 

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Police claim million dollar drug bust


July 14, 2009
Article from: Australian Associated Press

POLICE have made a million-dollar drug raid on the Gold Coast.

Detectives found what they believe to be more than 2kg of cocaine when they searched a vehicle repair workshop at Ashmore looking for a car and a motorbike stolen from Sydney last month.

Detective Inspector Tim Trezise from the Gold Coast CIB said his officers, acting on information from New South Wales police, found a Pontiac Trans Am and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle hidden inside.

Mr Trezise said that during the search for the vehicles detectives spotted a small amount of drugs in open view, sparking a detailed search of the building that turned up 2kg of white powder.

"They (the drugs) were secreted in a PVC pipe, and it was good work by investigating police,'' he said.

"Once they chanced upon the drugs that were in plain view they searched further and found the drugs that were more cleverly concealed.

"If, subject to the purity of the drugs, there is 2kg of cocaine, then we're talking about a street value in excess of $1 million.''

Mr Trezise said the 47-year-old owner of the garage and his 21-year-old son, both from Currumbin, were likely to be charged late today.

He said the haul is not connected to outlaw motorcycle gangs or other police operations in Sydney.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25781602-5006786,00.html

 

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Cops find drugs lab at Greenfields

14th July 2009, 8:30 WST

Police found a clandestine drug laboratory after raiding a Greenfields home late yesterday.

Peel detectives allegedly found a methamphetamine lab as well as drugs and implements during their search.

A 30-year-old man has been charged with a number of drug offences.

More than 65 clandestine drug laboratories have been uncovered by police this year.

Last week firefighters were called to help with the removal of ammonia gas bottles used in the alleged production of methamphetamine at a Forrestfield home.

A 30-year-old woman and a 41-year-old man were both charged with attempting to manufacture a prohibited substance.

The West Australlian

 

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Kin Kin man in court on drug charges

14th July 2009
By Rae Wilson

A Kin Kin man charged after police allegedly $500,000 worth of marijuana on his property last month has faced court today.

Donald Owen McConnell, 39, is charged with producing cannabis, two counts of possessing dangerous drugs and possessing items used in the commission of a crime.

Police raided a home on Golden Gully Road on June 17 where they allegedly found 40kg of dried, bagged cannabis in two 44-gallon drums.

Police will also allege they found a sophisticated hydroponic set-up and marijuana plants.

The case was adjourned until August 4.

Sunshine Coast Daily

 

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Drugs and firearm located at Enfield

15 July 2009

Holden Hill police have arrested a 22 year old woman from Paralowie for drug related offences after she was seen acting suspiciously on Main North Road at Enfield.

At about 4.30am, a police patrol was performing laser duties when the woman wandered towards them and then suddenly ran off and into a block of units.

Thinking her actions were somewhat odd, police followed her to the units where she was spoken to and police will allege was in possession of drugs believed to be amphetamine.

As police were talking to the woman, a man suddenly appeared from some nearby bushes and ran off.

He hasn't been located but a check of his hiding spot and police located a sawn off .22 bolt action rifle.

The woman hasn't been forthcoming with any information about the man, despite a message on her mobile phone from another person indicating that he was in the bushes.

The woman is currently assisting police with their enquiries as she was also in possession of a purse suspected of being stolen and cash.

It is likely she will be charged with drug possession offences, the theft of the purse and unlawful possession of the cash and will appear in Court later today.

SA Police

 

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Drug lab in car's back seat

Sophie Elsworth

July 16, 2009 09:27am

A MAN charged with numerous drug offences will face the Redcliffe Magistrates Court today after police intercepted his vehicle earlier this morning.
The 37-year-old man was stopped by police about 3.30am at Bayview Terrace in Deception Bay and located what appeared to be a portable clandestine laboratory.

The man will face one count each of producing a dangerous drug, possession of a relevant substance, possession of a prohibited combination of items, possession of a dangerous drug (cannabis) and possession of a thing used in the commission of a crime.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25789909-3102,00.html

 

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Two men charged with drug offences - Greenfield Park
Thursday, 16 Jul 2009 05:34am

Fairfield Police have charged two men with cultivating a large commercial quantity of cannabis.

About 11.25am yesterday (Wednesday 15 July) police executed a search warrant on a Greenfield Park address, where the two men were located.

Inside, investigating officers found five rooms being used for hydroponic cannabis cultivation.

Electricity authorities were also called to the crime scene where they identified a bypass of the power.

A full search of the property revealed a total of 240 plants with an estimated potential value of $400,000.

The 50-year-old men from Punchbowl and Belmore have been bail refused to appear in Fairfield Local Court today (Thursday 16 July).

A number of items were seized at the scene and police are continuing their investigations into the drug growing operation.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/l...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjcwMTMuaHRtbCZhbGw9MQ==

 

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Waterlogged cocaine thwarts smugglers

By David Barbeler | July 07, 2009

A CONSPIRACY to import 89kg of cocaine into Australia on board a yacht named Sparkles Plenty came unstuck when more than a quarter of the drugs became waterlogged, a court has been told.

Jorge Ernesto Velarde-Silva, 47, of Peru, pleaded not guilty in the Supreme Court in Brisbane today to one count of conspiring to bring into Australia a quantity of cocaine weighing more than 2kg.

Prosecutor Glen Rice told the court Velarde-Silva, along with a US citizen named Peter Jackson and another man named Kevin Nudd, conspired to bring 99 bags of cocaine into Australia on board the 17-metre yacht from Mexico.

The drugs had a pure cocaine weight of 64.5kg, the court was told.

Mr Rice told the court Mr Velarde-Silva helped load the drugs into a runabout attached to the yacht's stern in Mexico in June 2000.

The boat, skippered by Jackson, then made its way to Australia, stopping at Tahiti, Cook Islands, Tonga and New Caledonia.

However, upon arrival in New Caledonia, Jackson discovered 29 of the cocaine bags had become waterlogged, several of which were destroyed.

Jackson then flew to Australia and made phone calls to Velarde-Silva, not knowing they were being recorded by the Australian Federal Police.

Mr Rice told the court Velarde-Silva spoke with Jackson to arrange for him to take the "damaged goods" back to his "people" for accounting purposes.

"I told you in California what these people would do to me if they thought I was doing something wrong," said Mr Velarde-Silva in one of the recorded conversations.

The court heard after the issue was resolved Jackson continued his trip to Australia with the cocaine and was intercepted northwest of Moreton Island, in southeast Queensland, on May 3, 2001.

Mr Rice said Jackson was currently serving a sentence for his role in the offence and would give evidence against Mr Velarde-Silva during the trial, including how he was recruited by him to skipper the ship.

The court also heard Jackson would probably receive lenience in his sentence for testifying.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25746689-12377,00.html

 

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Two police, one man, face charges over drugs, trafficking



Wayne Flower

July 17, 2009 06:23am

TWO police officers will face court on drug charges following a nine-month investigation by the Ethical Standards Department.
A constable, 26, and a 25-year-old man, both from the inner eastern suburbs, were charged last night with conspiracy to traffic a drug of dependence, trafficking a drug of dependence and possessing a drug of dependence.

During a related search, a quantity of drugs and cash was also found at the home of the 25-year-old.

Both men were bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court today.

A 38-year old sergeant from an inner eastern suburb was subsequently questioned in relation to drug-related offences and also charged with two counts of trafficking a drug of dependence and possessing a drug of dependence.

He was bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25794786-661,00.html

 

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RBT leads to drug supply charges

Posted 45 minutes ago
Updated 47 minutes ago


Two men have been charged after police seized a large amount of illegal drugs in Sydney's inner-west yesterday.

Around 2pm AEST police stopped a car at Earlwood for a random breath test, and during a search of the car allegedly found an number of pills, believed to be ecstasy.

A 27-year-old man from The Entrance and a 31-year-old Dulwich Hill man were arrested and charged with supplying commercial quantities of prohibited drugs.

Both were refused bail to appear at Burwood Local court later today.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/17/2629038.htm

 

[kingpin007]

^^^

on the radio it said they were pulled over for random RBT and police could smell marijuana so they searched the car and found kilos of leaf ....

and pills it seems as well ..


I dont know why people growing would keep & store the leaf ....8)

I can smoke 7 grams of leaf in a day and I would end up with a headache ...