The Australian/NZ Drug Busts Mega-Thread Part Deux

[poledriver]

All things will pass, drug cops hope

Police are waiting at the Royal Adelaide Hospital to charge a man they think has swallowed small packages of heroin.

Officers interrupted what they said was a drug exchange at a Stepney shopping centre on Wednesday and said one of the suspects swallowed some balloons of heroin.

The man, 34, from Athol Park sped off in a car but was arrested at Magill a short time later.

He was taken to hospital and was given medication to encourage him to pass the balloons.

Police expect to charge the man with aggravated acts likely to cause harm, trafficking a controlled drug and unlawful possession of cash.

here

 

[poledriver]

Dubbo man faces court charged with supplying drugs

A man from Dubbo in western New South Wales has been charged with supplying a range of drugs including a commercial quantity of ecstasy.

Police raided a house in Sovereign Street yesterday where they allegedly found a large quantity of MDMA, methylamphetamines, LSD, cannabis, steroids and a large amount of money.

The 26 year old man has been refused bail and will face the Dubbo Local Court again in March.

The Orana Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Rod Blackman says it's a significant arrest.

"MDMA, or ecstasy is definitely a drug that we have seen for many years been on the increase," he said.

"Young people are opting to take it as opposed to buying alcohol.

"And the sort of quantity we've detected here is certainly indicative of a fair bit of this drug being out in the community.

"I wouldn't want to speculate on how big a dent it will make in the local supply chain, but certainly any seizure makes a difference."

here

 

[poledriver]

Police bust Unanderra man with 2kg of cannabis

A 38-year-old Unanderra man arrested during a police drug operation yesterday has been granted $10 000 bail, after facing charges in Wollongong local court.

George Deonarles will have to live with his defacto in Berkeley and report daily to police, until his next court appearance on February 23.

The police facts sheet alleges Deonarles was arrested after a strike force was established to investigate large-scale drug supply.

Telephone intercepts implicated Deonarles, who is unemployed.

When police went to his rented property at Unanderra they found more than two kilograms of cannabis, with much of it being found in a bag in a utility.

He was charged with two counts of supplying a prohibited drug and one count of possession.

Magistrate Les Mabbutt granted bail on the basis that Deonarles had stayed out of trouble since 1997 and had never failed to appear in court.

here

 

[poledriver]

Accused drugs mastermind slams prison bosses

The accused mastermind of a prison drug syndicate has told a Sydney Court that the Department of Corrective Services is stopping him getting a fair trial.

Bassam Hamzy, who is currently in Goulburn's supermax prison, is one of several men accused of being involved in a $250,000-per-week drug racket.

He was charged in 2008 after police alleged hundreds of phone calls a day were made as part of the operation in Lithgow jail.

Dressed in prison greens, Hamzy appeared by video link in Downing Centre District Court where a July trial date was set for the drug-related charges.

The court heard the trial will run for eight to 12 weeks.

Representing himself, the prisoner said he was seeking a stay of proceedings because he had been denied access to information he needed to prepare his case.

Hamzy said he had been unable to communicate with other legal representatives because of "restrictions" placed on him.

He said he had contacted the Ombudsman and that there was "personal animosity" between him and the Corrective Services Commissioner, Ron Woodham.

When the judge asked why he was in handcuffs, Hamzy replied: "Because they won't take them off, your honour."

His application to have a stay put on the proceedings will be heard next month.

here

 

[Divine Moments]

Good Vibrations revellers caught with drugs

More than 100 people have been caught with narcotics at the Good Vibrations music festival held in Centennial Park in Sydney yesterday.

Nine people were taken to hospital suffering suspected overdoses, with some listed as critical.

Court attendance notices were issued to 67 people, more than 50 received cautions for cannabis possession and almost 70 were kicked out of the festival for being drunk.

Police say the message about taking illegal drugs is not getting through.

The director of the Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre, Professor Dan Ludman, says he does not support people using drugs, but believes if they are going to they should do their research.

"It's really important that people are aware of the impact that alcohol and drugs can have on them so that people can make informed choices about what they will and won't do," he said.

Professor Ludman says people should learn how to recognise when someone is overdosing or having a bad reaction to drugs.

"People should work out what is the best way to support them and make sure they go and get themselves some professional help."

 

[poledriver]

$250K drug bust

POLICE have seized more than $250,000 worth of cannabis and growing equipment in what they described as the biggest drug bust in Ballarat in the past year.
Police arrested two men aged in their 60s who have been charged with a range of offences including cultivating and trafficking a drug of dependence.

The men have been bailed to appear in the Ballarat Magistrates Court in March.

Six officers from the Ballarat Divisional Response Unit raided a Warrenheip property at about 1pm on Friday, seizing two truckloads of drugs and equipment.

Senior Constable Kori Fraser said the arrests were part of an ongoing investigation by the BDRU.

“We seized a substantial amount of electronic hydroponics equipment, converters, power adaptors, chemicals, $7000 in cash as well as cannabis with an estimated street value of between $150,000 and $200,000,” Senior Constable Fraser said.

He estimated the seized growing equipment was valued at between $100,000 and $150,000.

He said police had not seized a quantity of cannabis this size in the past 12 to 18 months.

Head of the BDRU, Senior Sergeant Darren Tanis, said the arrests would have a substantial effect on the availability of marijuana.

“We would hope to continue to interrupt the supply of cannabis on the Ballarat region,” Senior Sergeant Tanis said.

Police also discovered that power to the premises had been diverted around the property metre box.

The property owner, who was one of the two men arrested, has been charged with theft of electricity and Powercor have removed the metre box from the property.

Powercor spokesman Ryan Auger said the energy provider would be taking the advice of prosecuting authorities.

“We’ll continue working closely with police services and assist with any information about unlawful disconnections or indeed the amount of any stolen electricity,” Mr Auger said. “Hopefully that information will be useful in pursuing charges against these individuals.”

Police found about 25 marijuana plants and hydroponics equipment inside the property double garage.

A drying room was located inside the house and seedlings were found in the bathroom.

“Obviously police are happy with the result, that we’ve seized this amount of cannabis before it could hit the street and can put a stop to people involved in drugs activities,” Senior Constable Fraser said.

here

 

[poledriver]

Man charged after drugs allegedly found in car - Ultimo

Police have arrested a man and seized an amount of drugs following a vehicle stop at Ultimo yesterday.

About 10.45pm (Saturday 12 February 2011), officers attached to Leichhardt Local Area Command were alerted to a vehicle travelling without a rear light working on Pyrmont Bridge Road.

Police stopped a silver Ford Falcon a short time later, and spoke to the driver and two passengers of the car.

Police then searched the Ford, allegedly locating an amount of cannabis, some white powder, as well as ecstasy, oxycontin and valium pills, within the vehicle.

The driver, a 51-year-old Greystanes man, was searched and an amount of cash was found.

He was arrested and taken to Newtown Police Station. He was later charged with possessing a prescribed restricted substance and goods in custody suspected of being stolen.

The driver was bail refused to appear at Parramatta Bail Court today.

The two male passengers were released without charge, pending further investigations.

here

 

[poledriver]

Clandestine drug laboratory found in Gosnells

Police have uncovered what appears to be a clandestine drug laboratory in Gosnells after a tip off from a real estate agent.

The property in Eudiora Street was for sale and the real estate agent, showing prospective buyers through the home, found the drug lab in a rear shed.

Officers were called to the vacant house just before midday yesterday.

Police spent the night dismantling the laboratory.

It is understood a notebook with a list of suspected drug buyers was also found at the scene.

Police are now looking for a group of people seen in the vicinity.

here

 

[poledriver]

Police investigate $200k cannabis-growing operation

Police say a raid at Warrenheip, near Ballarat, on Friday uncovered a sophisticated hydroponic cannabis-growing operation.

They are investigating if the $200,000 operation was linked to others in the region.

Senior Sergeant Peter McCormick of Ballarat Police says two men aged in their 60s will face court, charged with cultivating and trafficking a drug of dependence.

He says the set-up included a large number of plants, cultivating equipment and cash.

"It's certainly more organised than we normally see," he said.

"We'd like to think that obviously we've got them this time but it'd be fairly naive to suggest that they got caught on their first attempt."

"The members who attended will obviously search the premises to see if there's any links or any further evidence to suggest that there's on-selling or where they got their gear from and that sort of stuff and that may lead to further inquiries."

here

 

[poledriver]

Man charged for importing heroin concealed in luggage

A 44-year-old Yagoona man is scheduled to appear in Sydney Central Local Court today, charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) with importing an estimated one kilogram of heroin concealed within the lining of a suitcase.

Customs and Border Protection officers stopped the man for a baggage examination yesterday when he arrived at Sydney International Airport on a flight from Ho Chi Minh City.

During the search, officers discovered a white powder secreted between the lining and the outer shell of the man’s suitcase.

Two Customs and Border Protection drug detector dogs reacted positively to the suitcase and initial presumptive testing indicated that the substance was heroin, estimated to weigh one kilogram.

Further forensic testing will be undertaken to confirm the exact weight and purity of the substance.

The man was referred to the AFP and charged with importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug, contrary to section 307.2 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

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

here

 

[poledriver]

Unemployed drug user pleads not guilty to trafficking

heavy drug user who was arrested at the Hobart airport with three bags of ecstasy has gone on trial in the Hobart supreme court for drug trafficking.

Stuart John Ridge was arrested last July after being noticed by drug detection dogs at the Hobart airport.

He admitted being in the possession of three plastic bags of ecstasy and an envelope of cocaine.

Ridge told Federal Police he was a heavy drug user with a $5,000 - $10,000 a week habit.

He said he had no job and was planning to sell the drugs to fund his habit.

Ridge has pleaded not guilty to trafficking in a controlled substance.

His lawyer does not dispute Ridge's possession of the drugs, but his intention to sell them.

The trial continues.

here

 

[poledriver]

Man charged and 11kg ICE seized in joint operation – MEOCS & Australian Crime Commiss

Two man have been charged following the seizure of 11 kilograms of ICE as well as $897,000 cash and luxury vehicles during a joint drug operation.

Strike Force Bursaria comprises detectives from the State Crime Command’s Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad (MEOCS) and the Australian Crime Commission and was established to investigate an alleged transnational drug supply syndicate.

MEOCS Commander, Detective Superintendent Deb Wallace said, “The NSW Police Force is committed to working with the Australian Crime Commission and other partner agencies in a continued effort to target serious organised crime.nn“Due to the joint investigations by MEOCS and the Australian Crime Commission, officers have prevented approximately $4.4 million in ICE entering our community,” she said.

Following investigations, about 12.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 15 February), MEOCS Highway Patrol officers intercepted a van on George Street at The Rocks. It will be alleged they located more than $7000 in cash and 14 grams of ICE.

It will be alleged the van was carrying two safes containing a total of 11 kilograms of drugs police allege is ICE. The drugs have since been seized for forensic analysis.

Police allege the estimated street value of the drugs seized is approximately $4.4 million.

Search warrants were executed by police at Bondi and Vaucluse. At a unit in Bondi police seized about 170 grams of ICE and $8,000 cash, as well as two vehicles – a new model Bentley and a new model Mercedes four-wheel-drive.

At a unit in Vaucluse police seized almost $882,000 cash as well as an Audi A4.

A 35-year-old Vaucluse man was later arrested by police at a unit in Bondi about 1.30pm, before being taken to Waverly Police Station.

He was subsequently charged with three counts each of supplying a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime, as well as one count of supplying an indictable quantity of prohibited drugs.

He has been refused bail and will appear at Waverly Local Court today.

A 24-year-old man was arrested at Bondi and taken to Maroubra Police Station. He was charged with supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, dealing with property suspected to be the proceeds of crime and possessing a prescribed restricted substance.

He was also refused bail to appear at Waverly Local Court today.

here

 

[poledriver]

$500,000 worth of cannabis seized – Mount Kembla

Police have located and seized $500,000 worth of cannabis in the State’s Illawarra region yesterday.

In December 2010, investigators from Lake Illawarra Local Area Command’s Drug Unit formed Strike Force Clanalpine, an investigation into the cultivation of cannabis within the bush area of Harry Graham Drive, Mount Kembla.

Following extensive inquiries, about 9am yesterday (Tuesday 15 February) strike force officers, Detectives, General Duties, Highway Patrol and Rescue officers executed a search warrant at the bushland location with the assistance of Polair.

During a search of the area police allegedly located two large cannabis sites.

The first site contained 131 cannabis plants and the second site had a further 87 plants.

The 218 plants were seized for forensic examination.

The plants have an estimated street value of $500,000.

here

 

[poledriver]

$1.5m cash, drugs, pythons seized – Warilla

Police from Wollongong Local Area Command have charged a man after $1.5m cash, drugs and three snakes were seized during a search warrant at Warilla yesterday.

Police from the Wollongong Drug Unit executed search warrants on a home in Little Lake Crescent and a storage facility in Sunset Crescent yesterday afternoon.

About $10,000 cash, drugs, and a jet ski worth, more than $20,000, were seized at the home, along with three pythons.

A steel box, which police will allege contained more than $1.5m cash, was seized from the storage container.

A 48-year-old man from Warilla was arrested and taken to Wollongong Police Station where he was charged with:

• Possess proceeds of crime (two counts);
• Obtain benefit by deception;
• Possess prescribed restricted substance (two counts);
• Possess protected fauna.

He is due to appear in Wollongong Local Court on 15 March.

here

 

[Sykik]

This thread is over the magical 1000 posts.
Closed.

PART THREE HERE!!!!!!!


(Saying magical made me think of magical trevor, )

 

[lagger]

Do these threads get archived or die when the forum is pruned

 

[poledriver]

dunno. but i do know we passed 1000 nearly a month ago here.

I'll keep posting in the new one.

 

[lagger]

where do u find the news, just one site or check several

 

[belarki]

Do these threads get archived or die when the forum is pruned

This will get archived. The archives are "pruned" yearly though at the discretion of the mods and senior mods. A thread like this can act as a good resource so I doubt it would be deleted.