The Australian/NZ Drug Busts Mega-Thread Part Deux

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More than $1 million worth of cannabis hidden behind false walls in Sydney home

More than $1 million worth of cannabis hidden behind false walls in Sydney home
August 7, 2009 - 6:59AM

Over $1 million worth of cannabis has been found in a western Sydney home, which had false walls to hide rooms filled with hydroponic systems, police say.

Police raided a home on Blaxland Avenue, Luddenham, at about 6am (AEST) on Thursday.

They allegedly uncovered 344 cannabis plants, with an estimated potential street value of $1.1 million, and equipment used to grow the plants including fans, lights and fertilisers.

Police say they found the home had been altered with a number of false walls to house rooms where sophisticated hydroponic growing systems were set up.

A 39-year-old man was arrested at the house, taken to Penrith police station and charged with cultivating cannabis plants (large commercial quantity) and altering or adding to electricity installation.

He was refused bail and will appear in court at a later date.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/more...false-walls-in-sydney-home-20090807-ebqk.html

 

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Vic police seize large haul of drugs

Australian Associated Press | AAP

Friday, 7 August 2009 7:42 PM

Large quantities of drugs have been seized and three men charged following a police raid in Melbourne's southeast.

Police seized 1.5kg of cannabis, three ounces of cocaine and a large haul of ecstasy pills in the suburb of McKinnon after a search warrant was executed at a property in Norman Street at about 8.40am (AEST) on Friday.

A 24-year-old McKinnon man was charged with drug possession and bailed to appear at the Moorabbin Justice Centre on October 15.

Two other McKinnon men aged 38 and 28 were also charged with trafficking a drug of dependence and appeared at the Moorabbin Justice Centre on Friday.

LiveNews

 

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NT rugby legend facing 'ice' drug charges

EMILY WATKINS

August 7th, 2009

A DARWIN rugby league legend has appeared in court on drug trafficking charges.

Former Darwin Rugby League coach Joe Romelo, 51, briefly faced Darwin Magistrates Court yesterday for allegedly bringing 15g of crystal methamphetamine into Darwin on a flight from Brisbane.

Mr Romelo was searched at Darwin Airport at 1am on July 18 when police allege they found the drug - also known as "ice" - and arrested and charged him.

His lawyer, Jodi Truman, said Mr Romelo would plead guilty to a possession charge. He was also charged with supplying a dangerous drug.

Mr Romelo sat alone in court, wearing blue jeans and an open-neck shirt. His bail was extended until August 25.

Mr Romelo coached the Nightcliff Dragons to four consecutive DRL A-grade premierships from 1999.

His son, Joel, made his first-grade debut for Penrith in May.

In 2002, Mr Romelo left Darwin and his successful coaching career to support his son's NRL aspirations.

In 2007, his son, now 20, scored a contract with NRL club Penrith Pan- thers and Mr Romelo moved back to Darwin.

He has since started a fishing charter business based at Dundee Beach.

NT News

 

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3 arrested in Griffith drug blitz

Posted Mon Aug 10, 2009 10:02am AEST

Griffith police have made several arrests during a three-day operation targeting illegal drugs and antisocial behaviour at licensed premises.

Police say they executed two search warrants last Thursday and seized amphetamines, cannabis and cash as part of Operation Vikings.

They arrested a 39-year-old man, 57-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman.

All three are from Griffith and are due to face court on drugs charges later this month.

Meanwhile over the weekend, police used a drug detection dog to inspect licensed premises at Darlington Point, Griffith, Leeton and Narrandera.

More than 12 people were charged with offences including failing to move on, offensive behaviour and possession of a knife in a public place.

ABC News

 

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Internal drug courier charged

Monday, 10 August 2009

This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and Australian Customs and Border Protection.

A 33-year-old Malaysian woman will face Perth Magistrates Court today charged with importing drugs concealed inside her body.

The woman arrived at Perth International Airport on a flight from Malaysia on Friday 7 August.

Customs and Border Protection officers stopped the female passenger for questioning. During baggage examinations officers became suspicious that she may have been concealing drugs internally.

The matter was referred to the Australian Federal Police and the woman was taken to hospital for a medical examination.

It will be alleged in court that the woman was concealing approximately 160 grams of heroin internally.

The woman was charged with importing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug contrary to section 307.2 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

Initial testing indicated the presence of heroin and further forensic testing will take place to determine the exact weight and purity.

The maximum penalty for this offence is 25 years imprisonment and/or a $550,000 fine.

AFP

 

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Two men arrested following joint investigation - S/F Tuno-2 & S/F Billarong

Tuesday, 11 Aug 2009 05:25am

Detectives from the State Crime Command have charged two men following a joint operation conducted under Strike Force Tuno-2 and Strike Force Billarong.

About 7.30pm last night (Monday 10 August) detectives attended an address in Cathedral Street, Woolloomooloo and executed a search warrant.

Police located a quantity of prohibited drugs at the premises and arrested a 26-year-old man.

A short time later, a second search warrant was executed on a premises in Castlereagh Street Sydney.

A quantity of prohibited drugs were located and a 25-year-old man was arrested.

Both men were taken to City Central Police Station for questioning.

The 26-year-old Woolloomooloo man was charged with a number of offences including the supply of prohibited drugs, possession of prohibited drugs and dealing with the proceeds of crime. He was refused bail and will appear in Central Local Court today.

The 25-year-old Sydney man was charged with the supply of prohibited drugs and a historic kidnapping matter from 2004. He was refused bail and will appear in Central Local Court today.

Strike Force Tuno-2 from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad and has been established to investigate seven alleged murders, three suspected murders, and two attempted murders between 1993 to 2008 in NSW and Queensland.

Strike Force Billarong comprises detectives from the State Crime Command’s Asian Crime Squad and was formed to carryout investigations into matters identified during S/F Tuno’s investigation.

NSW Police

 

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Drugs and cash located during search warrant – Liverpool

Tuesday, 11 Aug 2009 05:20am

Police from the Liverpool Local Area Command have seized a quantity of cash and drugs during a search warrant in Liverpool yesterday.

About 4.45pm detectives entered a home on Bungonia Street and seized a quantity of drugs alleged to be ice, ecstasy and heroin.

A large quantity of cash was also located and seized.

A 27-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Liverpool Police Station where she was later charged with three counts of supply prohibited drug and one count of deal in proceeds of crime.

She was given conditional bail and will appear in Liverpool Local Court on August 24.

NSW Police

 

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Methamphetamine drug courier charged

Tuesday, 11 August 2009

A 53-year-old Australian woman faced Sydney Central Local Magistrates Court yesterday charged with importing drugs concealed inside her shoes.

Customs and Border Protection officers at Sydney International Airport stopped the woman and searched her baggage after she arrived on a flight from Vietnam on Sunday.

During the baggage examination, officers became suspicious that the woman might be carrying drugs on her person.

A subsequent x-ray of the woman’s sports shoes revealed anomalies in the base of the shoes.

An ionscan returned a positive result for methamphetamine and the matter was referred to the Australian Federal Police.

It will be alleged in court that the woman was concealing approximately 500 to 600 grams of methamphetamine.

The woman was charged with importing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug contrary to section 307.2 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

Initial testing indicated the presence of methamphetamine and further forensic testing will take place to determine the exact weight and purity.

The maximum penalty for this offence is 25 years imprisonment and/or a $550,000 fine.

AFP

 

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'Quizzical' looks lead cops to alleged dealer

By Timothy McDonald

Posted Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:02am AEST
Updated Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:00am AEST

Northern Territory Police arrested a 22 year old man last night for attempting to sell drugs at the Discovery Nightclub in Darwin.

It is alleged the man had twelve ecstasy tablets.

Duty Superintendent Jamie Chalker says police approached the man because he was acting suspiciously.

"[He had] rather agitated and quizzical sort of looks on his face and he became quite scratchy when he was made aware that police were there," he said.

"So they ultimately approached him and conducted a search and located the drugs."

ABC News

 

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Jail for man using fake ID for drugs

Posted Wed Aug 12, 2009 12:28pm AEST
Updated Wed Aug 12, 2009 12:27pm AEST

A Wagga man has received a two month jail sentence for using fake identification to obtain and buy prescription drugs.

On Monday, Wagga Local Court heard how Matthew Jeremy Oliver used stolen identification and visited doctors in Wagga, Tumut and Adelong to obtain prescriptions for the drug Oxycontin.

He visited pharmacies in the Wagga area to obtain the highly addictive drug.

The 33-year-old is eligible for release on August 21, having already served time in jail.

He is due to appear in Wagga District Court in mid-September on charges of assault relating to an armed robbery of a pharmacy in Wagga in June.

ABC News

 

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Sewer search flushes out drugs

Posted Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:21pm AEST
Updated Wed Aug 12, 2009 3:56pm AEST

Police have searched the sewer system at a property in Adelaide's northern suburbs for drugs.

Police used an excavator, concrete cutters and jackhammers and allegedly found about 100 grams of heroin at the Mawson Lakes house.

The 49-year-old resident was arrested on Tuesday and charged with possessing a controlled drug for sale and equipment to manufacture drugs.

The man has been released on bail to face the Elizabeth Magistrates Court in September.

Chief Inspector Tony Crameri says the 100 grams of heroin represents about 1,000 street deals.

"We're very happy to take those street deals off the street, it reduces crime within the community and stops people from committing other crimes to feed their drug habit," he said.

"We believe that he was trying to dispose of the drugs and on arrival of police, we were able to stop that, and as a result of a lot of work, we were able to excavate the sewer and located the alleged material."

Police say they also seized other items, including cash and a pill press, during the raid.

ABC News

 

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Two women charged over drug supply - Campsie

Wednesday, 12 Aug 2009 02:44pm

Detectives from the Campsie Local Area Command have charged two women following the execution of two search warrants yesterday.

Campsie Detectives together with the Proactive Crime Team and Wetherill Park Region Enforcement Squad executed search warrants on two homes in Punchbowl and Greenacre.

During the search on the Catherine Street, Punchbowl home police will allege they located cannabis and several satchels of white powder.

The search on the Hume Highway, Greenacre premises revealed an alleged hydroponic set up with approximately 50 plants, a loaded firearm and a large quantity of resealable bags containing what police believe to be heroin and cocaine.

The two women, aged 23 and 24, were arrested and taken to Campsie Police Station for questioning.

The 23-year-old was charged with ongoing supply prohibited drug, owner conduct drug premises x 4, and dealing with proceeds of crime x 4.

The 24-year-old was charged with supply prohibited drug.

Both women were refused bail to appear in Burwood Local Court today.

NSW Police

 

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Police arrest man, large amount of cannabis seized – Dareton

Thursday, 13 Aug 2009 05:56am

A Dubbo man will face court on drug charges after police allegedly located a large amount of cannabis in his car this morning.

About 12:25am, Dareton Police were patrolling the Sturt Highway near Wilga Road at Gol Gol when they stopped a bronze coloured Ford Falcon station wagon.

The driver, a 39-year-old Dubbo man was subjected to a roadside breath test where he provided a negative result.

Police will allege as they were talking to the man they detected the strong smell of cannabis in his vehicle.

The man was arrested and he was taken with his car to Dareton Police Station.

During a search of the vehicle police will allege they located nearly 8 kilograms of cannabis leaf with an estimated potential street value of approximately $60,000.

Police also seized a large sum of cash found inside the vehicle, suspected of being the proceeds of crime.

The man was charged with supply cannabis greater than indictable quantity and dealing with property suspected of being proceeds of crime. He was refused bail to appear at Broken Hill Local Court today.

NSW Police

 

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Cannabis cultivator charged

13th August 2009 03:25:25 AM

A 25-YEAR-OLD Cannons Creek man has been charged and remanded in custody after police seized nearly 200 cannabis plants on 30 July.

Police said 189 plants, with the street value of about $300,000, was found at the Baxter-Tooradin property after they executed a drug warrant.

Police also found sophisticated hydro equipment and bypass power. They confiscated an excess of $50,000 in equipment.

The Cannons Creek man was charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of cannabis, and possessing and cultivating a drug of dependence.

Star News Group

 

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Man charged after two drug raids

August 13, 2009 07:21am

A MAN has been charged after equipment to make methyl amphetamine and cannabis was allegedly found in two raids north of Brisbane.

Police say they searched properties at Deception Bay and Beachmere yesterday morning, allegedly seizing a substantial amount of equipment used to make methyl amphetamine as well as an amount of cannabis at the Deception Bay address.

More equipment was allegedly seized at the Beachmere property, along with cash, cannabis and other drug utensils.

A 38-year-old man was charged with 15 drug offences, including producing a dangerous drug, possessing a dangerous drug and supplying a dangerous drug. He will appear in Caboolture Magistrates Court on October 5.

Herald Sun

 

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Raids smash statewide drug ring

DANIEL WILLS

August 13, 2009 05:50pm

POLICE have smashed a statewide bikie drug ring and seized thousands of dollars in cash during raids across Adelaide and the Mid-North.

Crime Gangs Task Force detectives uncovered $15,000 cash, methamphetamines and more than 100 cannabis plants during three searches yesterday.

Police first raided a home at Sutherlands in the state's Mid-North, uncovering 20 plants in a cellar and 16kgs of dried cannabis in a vehicle waiting outside.

The owner of the premises, 35, and owner of the vehicle, a 45-year-old Two Wells man, were arrested on drugs charges and have been bailed to appear in the Tanunda Magistrates Court on November 10.

Further raids on homes at Two Wells and Evanston Gardens in Adelaide's north later that day uncovered 81 cannabis plants, $15,000 cash and three grams of methamphetamine.

The female occupant of the Two Wells home was arrested and charged with cultivation of cannabis, traffic in a controlled drug and unlawful possession and has been bailed to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on September 30.

Police claim the trio was involved in a sophisticated drugs syndicate that used premises across the state to produce drugs for sale.

Police will allege some homes were used as nurseries and others for cultivation and drying the drugs.

In an unrelated incident today, a 32-year old man was arrested when a clandestine drug lab was uncovered in his western suburbs home.

He has been charged with manufacturing a controlled substance.

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,25924448-2682,00.html

 

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Man arrested and charged after drugs and money seized – Strike Force Matchett
Friday, 14 Aug 2009 01:47pm

A man has been arrested and charged by Drug Squad investigators after police seized a large quantity of drugs and cash last night.

About 11.40pm police attached to Strike Force Matchett arrested a 39-year-old Hassall Grove man inside an industrial unit on Kurrajong Avenue at Mt Druitt.

Police will allege that inside the unit they located 1.83kgs of powder believed to be methylamphetamine with an estimated potential street value of $500,000.

Police then searched his vehicle where they located and seized more than $7,000 cash and shortly after executed a search warrant on a unit in Victoria Road at Werrington where they allegedly seized $130,000 in cash and drug paraphernalia.

The man was charged with supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and two counts of dealing in the proceeds of crime (cash).

He was bail refused to appear at Mt Druitt Local court today.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/l...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjc0NDMuaHRtbCZhbGw9MQ==

 

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Woman arrested on drug charges

Friday, 14 August 2009

ACT Policing arrested a 27-year-old woman after she was allegedly found to be in possession of drugs whilst visiting the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) yesterday (August 13).

Police will allege the Gordon woman was attending the AMC to visit an inmate when a drug detection dog at the visitor’s entrance to the facility alerted staff to her. A subsequent search of the alleged offender’s vehicle located four grams of amphetamine type substance, ice pipes and scales.

A later search of the alleged offender’s home also located another four grams of amphetamine type substance.

The woman will face the ACT Magistrates Court today (August 14) charged with taking a prohibited thing into a correctional centre, trafficking in a controlled drug other than cannabis, possessing a prohibited substance and possessing a drug of dependence.

AFP

 

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Drugs Maningrida

Thursday 13-Aug-2009 (1555 hrs CST)

Members of the Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk in Katherine conducted a patrol and road side stop of all vehicles travelling on the Ramingining Road in Maningrida.

The road block saw a large number of cars stopped and various amount of cannabis seized.

A total of 106 bags of cannabis weighing a total of 41.1 grams were seized, six summons files were submitted and seven infringement notices were issued for various offences.

Superintendent Helen Braam said “this is just another example of the ongoing exploitation of persons who live on remote communities. Although the total amount of cannabis seized maybe viewed as relatively small – the reality is people are paying $100 for a bag containing cannabis roughly the size of ten cent coin or .5 of a gram.

“In comparison a 1 gm bag of cannabis purchased in an urban centre would have a street value of $50, the mark up is astounding”.

“The alternative for a remote community family is spending $100 on letting their kids go to the show, buying them a new bike for their birthday or sending them on a school excursion – something most urban kids take for granted – and whose parents are not being extorted because of an addiction. The flip side is the dealers getting around in their new 4wd’s or kicking back watching movies on their $10 000 home theatre systems”.

NTFPES

 

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Completion of Operation Uadjet

Friday 14-Aug-2009 (1607 hrs CST)

A 42-year-old man is alleged to be the principal offender and leader in a major Northern Territory drug ring which over an 18 month investigation has been dismantled by the Drug Enforcement Section.

As the final phase of operation Uadjet, which commenced in January 2008 and has so far seen eight alleged co-offenders face serious drug charges in the Northern Territory, and netted significant drug seizures including;

117 pound of Cannabis
11,000 ecstasy pills
1kg of high grade Methylamphetamine
3 Firearms
3 vehicles
$66,000 cash

The 42-year-old male was interviewed yesterday in relation to drugs seized in August 2008 and has since been charged with:

Supply commercial quantity of MDMA
Supply commercial quantity of Methylamphetamine
Supply commercial quantity of cannabis
Possess tainted property.

Police will allege the man from Darwin’s industrial area co-ordinated a systematic and highly organised drug distribution network that supplied over;

1200 pounds of Cannabis
240,000 ecstasy pills
10kg of Methylamphetamine and;

Collected over 2.4 million dollars for the network.

He has been remanded in custody to appear in the Darwin Magistrate’s Court in November 2009.

The man is the ninth person charged in relation to this incident.

Detective Superintendent Peter Bravos of the Drug and Organised Crime Division said “The conclusion of this investigation should send a clear message to those that profit from the distribution of drugs that the Drug Enforcement Section will investigate and target these networks at the highest level” he said.

NTFPES