The Australian/NZ Drug Busts Mega-Thread Part Deux

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Growing drug to 'wean de facto'

Melanie Maeseele | 22nd July 2009

A NURSERY hand set up a hydroponics lab at his home in an attempt to wean his de facto off her drug addiction, a court was told.

Brett Gregory Dallinger pleaded guilty to drug charges in Gatton Magistrates Court yesterday with his partner and co-accused Leanne Michelle Cathie.

The court was told police found 27 marijuana plants, a hydroponics setup and almost 500 grams of marijuana when they searched their Jensen Street home in Gatton on May 7.

Prosecutor Mike Robinson said Cathie was home when police searched the property and located the plants ranging from one metre high down to 10cm, several clip seal bags throughout the home, scales, the hydroponics setup and water pipes.

Cathie told police her partner Dallinger was responsible for bringing home the marijuana cuttings.

The court was told police found 456.49 grams of marijuana at the couple's home and Cathie admitted her involvement in drugs was simply to help her partner cut it and put it into bags.

The pair's defence lawyer Elizabeth Buckley said Cathie, who admitted she was a drug addict, was smoking up to 10 cones a day prior to her de facto setting up the home setup.

Ms Buckley said Dallinger admitted to supplying Cathie with the drugs but only in an effort to help her.

“Dallinger was trying to help his partner by slowing weaning her off drugs,” Ms Buckley said.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist replied by stating the home was like a “lolly shop”.

“There has been a great deal of time and effort put into this set-up and for these offences it is well within range to sentence you to a term of imprisonment,” Mr Stjernqvist said.

Cathie who pleaded guilty to possessing pipes or utensils and possessing and producing drugs was sentenced to two years probation.

Dallinger pleaded guilty to possessing, producing, supplying and possessing anything used in the commission of a crime and was sentenced to one year probation and to pay a $1000 fine.

Queensland Times

 

[Jakeperson]

RE: 'Hard-working' drug runner faces jail'
Why was he running drugs from Adelaide TO Sydney? Very interested to hear what drugs he had, sounds like marijuana but they keep using drugs and drug crops.

RE: Three teens fined for drug possession
Sigh, fuck off police. But then again, why did he throw the alfoil away? If he had of kept it in his pocket and allowed police to assist with the car problems politely, every thing would have been fine.

 

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Drug charges, Scarness

A 30-year-old local resident was charged yesterday on four drug-related offences after police allegedly located a partial drug laboratory in a motel room at Scarness.

Around 11am police executed a search warrant on the motel room on the Charlton Esplanade and allegedly located paraphernalia used to produce drugs stored in a cupboard.

The man was issued with a notice to appear in the Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on August 13.

Queensland Police

 

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Hydro crop located – Smithfield Plains

Elizabeth Police last night allegedly located a hydroponic cannabis crop at a house in Greenwood Crescent, Smithfield Plains.

Police searched the house, allegedly locating 34 cannabis plants and hydroponic equipment.

A 43 year old Smithfield Plains man was arrested at the scene and charged with cultivating cannabis and possessing equipment.

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

SA Police

 

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Man to face court after Cobram drugs bust

Victorian police say they seized drugs and cash during a search of a property in Cobram yesterday.

Cannabis, the liquid drug, GHB, and cash were allegedly found at a house in Wilcur Street.

A 39-year-old man is due to face court today, charged with offences including trafficking of cannabis and GHB and possessing the proceeds of crime.

Detective Sergeant Marcus Boyd says the property search and arrest were the result of investigations over the past few months.

"We're particularly interested in this GHB, which is known as gamma hydroxybutyric [acid], which unfortunately is a liquid drug," he said.

"[It] seems to be quite popular with young people, so we're always happy to take that off the street."

ABC News

 

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Woman faces drug charges

DAVID KILLICK

July 22, 2009 12:48pm

A 51-YEAR-OLD woman made up to $18,000 selling cannabis from her home, a court has heard.

Arthritis sufferer Maree Annette Baker today pleaded guilty to selling a controlled plant, possessing a controlled plant, using a controlled plant and possessing a drug implement.

She told the Hobart Magistrates' Court she smoked cannabis to ease the pain of her condition and turned to selling the drug to finance her habit.

Police Prosecutor Lakshmi Sundram told the court police went to Baker's Carlton home on November 11 last year with a search warrant.

Inside they found 90 grams of cannabis and smoking implements in various locations.

Some of the cannabis was packaged in plastic sachets for sale.

When interviewed by officers, Baker admitted the cannabis was hers and that she had been smoking the drug for 31 years, most recently to ease the pain of her arthritis.

She said she had been selling up to 15 deals a weeks to six customers for the past six months to help finance her habit and had made up to $18,200.

She told Magistrate Peter Dixon she only sold the drug to finance her own use.

"I smoke cannabis myself because I have arthritis,'' she told the court.

"I sold to a few close friends, that was it. I never sold to strangers. I never sold to children.

"I knew I was breaking the law. I no longer sell cannabis.''

Magistrate Dixon adjourned the case until September 21 and ordered a pre-sentence report.

The Mercury

 

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Man charged for importing heroin

Wednesday, 22 July 2009

This is a joint media release between the AFP and Customs.

A 56-year-old Malaysian man will face Sydney Central Local Court today charged with importing heroin into Australia.

The man arrived at Sydney International Airport yesterday (21 July) on a flight from Phuket, Thailand.

Following a referral from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Customs and Border Protection officers questioned the man and conducted a baggage examination where they found a children’s book that had inconsistencies in the front cover.

Further examination of the book revealed approximately 150 grams of a powder concealed inside the lining of the book.

Presumptive testing of the powder indicated the presence of heroin. The man was then referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

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

The powder will undergo forensic testing to determine its 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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Operation Holbrook detectives seize nearly $1.3 million of cannabis following raid - Prestons

Thursday, 23 Jul 2009 06:43am

Detectives attached to Operation Holbrook have seized nearly $1.3 million worth of cannabis following a raid at Prestons in Sydney’s south-west yesterday.

About 8:10am, as a result of investigations, Liverpool detectives forced entry to a two storey house on Mullenderee Street and allegedly located a sophisticated hydroponic cannabis setup, including a large number of lamps, shades and electrical transformers.

Police will allege during the search, they seized a total of 377 cannabis plants with a potential street value of approximately $1,295,000.

A crime scene was established and examined by specialist crime scene officers.

No one was home at the time of the raid and no arrests have been made; however, investigations are continuing into the discovery of the cannabis plants.

NSW Police

 

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Woman facing court charged with firearm and drug offences – Belmore

Thursday, 23 Jul 2009 09:59am

A woman is facing court today after a search warrant conducted at a Belmore house yesterday revealed an illegal firearm and quantities of cannabis, MDMA and amphetamine.

About 8.10am Campsie Police executed a search warrant on the Hugh Street premises.

After an initial search by a police drug dog, officers allegedly uncovered an amount of cannabis, MDMA (ecstasy), methylamphetamine (Ice) and cocaine.

During the search warrant police also allegedly located and seized a pistol.

A 31-year-old local woman was arrested at the scene and taken to Campsie Police Station. She was charged with supply prohibited drug x2 (cannabis and ecstasy), Possess Prohibited Drug x2, Possess Prohibited Pistol and Not Keep Firearm Safe.

Bail was refused and the woman will appear at Burwood Local Court today.

NSW Police

 

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140 charges as drug ring cracked

Julie Lightfoot

Thursday, July 23, 2009

TEAMS of detectives, tactical crime squad members, officers and intelligence staff descended on Mission Beach yesterday for a drug operation that will land more than 60 people in court.

Police swooped on homes in South Mission Beach first, seizing cannabis, speed, LSD and steroids and charging 13 people with drug-related offences.

Intelligence officers were still in the coastal town late yesterday morning and Innisfail’s Insp David Tucker said he expected more people to be charged over the raids.

The 18 Mission Beach search warrants are part of a much larger crackdown on drugs that will see more than 60 people from Cardwell to Innisfail front court on a collective 140 charges.

Insp Tucker said Operation Grandstand had been running for three months.

He described it as "the tip of the iceberg" for police.

Yesterday’s charges ranged from possessing a dangerous drug and a drug utensil to failing to safely dispose of a syringe.

Police allegedly found 50 discarded syringes in one Mission Beach home.

Insp Tucker said police had needed to request more sharps containers so the needles could be safely discarded.

All the drugs seized yesterday were in small quantities, he said.

Police also seized more than $4000 in cash from one residence.

"This is another example of the proactive work being undertaken by police to deal with drug offences," Insp Tucker said.

"The Mission Beach search warrants have led to the closure of Operation Grandstand (but) we willkeep going to stop the flow of drugs."

He said an increased level of information from the community relating to drugs and suspicious activity was helping to not only reduce drug offences but to solve crimes.

Final figures relating to drugs seized and charges laid during Operation Grandstand would be known in the next few days, he said.

Cairns.com.au

 

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Bikie taskforce lays out results

BEN HYDE

July 23, 2009 08:03am

THE anti-bikie squad has seized more than 70,000 street drug deals, 150 firearms and almost $800,000 in cash since the taskforce was doubled in November 2007.

During that time, the Crime Gangs Taskforce has also arrested or reported almost 500 members or associates of outlaw motorcycle gangs for alleged crimes.

Police Minister Michael Wright says the results since the taskforce was doubled to 43 dedicated investigators are "staggering".

"This in an incredible haul of illicit drugs along with a cache of deadly weapons and it's extremely pleasing that this squad is working so hard to seek out and remove these drugs and guns from out streets," Minister Wright says.

"The good work of the Crime Gangs Taskforce is sending a clear message to the community that those involved in criminal activity will not be tolerated and they will be caught."

Crimes Gang Taskforce statistics between November 1, 2007 and June 30, 2009

Arrest/report (outlaw motorcylce gang members): 163

Arrest/report (associates): 328

Barring orders: 134

Amphetamine: 21650 street deals

Cannabis: 38753 street deals

Ecstasy: 6526 street deals

Other drugs: 3771 street deals

Pistols seized: 47

Other firearms: 103

Cash seized: $783,320

Adelaide Now

 

[mushi mushi 88]

Geez they are really abusing the use of this street deal bullshit.

How do they know what a street deal is anyways??? It could be any amount, why don't they just use the weights they have gotten...

 

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Police lay charges after drugs bust

Detectives in mid-west Western Australia have laid more than 100 charges during an operation targeting drug dealers.

Operation Davey has led to the seizure of more than 360 ecstasy tablets, 63 grams of methamphetamine and more than $115,000 in cash, alleged to be the proceeds of crime.

On Monday, officers charged Trevor Anthony Forman after allegedly finding nearly 200 ecstasy tablets hidden in his vehicle.

Detective Sergeant Mark Howes says the operation has put a significant dent in the local drug trade.

"The more drugs that we can take off the streets the better, as you can see we've charged a lot of people and seized a lot of assets and it's not finished yet, so there are people out there who need to be worried because we're coming to get them," he said.

ABC News

 

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Drugs, cash seized during routine check

Police say a routine traffic stop in Perth has led to the seizure of drugs and cash.

They say they found ecstasy, cannabis and $3,500 after stopping a car in High Wycombe last night.

A search of driver's High Wycombe homes uncovered more than one kilogram of cannabis, methylamphetamine and ecstasy.

The 41-year-old man is due to appear in court next week to face several charges, including the intention to sell or supply a prohibited drug.

ABC News

 

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Police seize $2m drugs

Police have charged two people after investigations into alleged criminal organisations within South Australia's Asian community.

The 45-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman were arrested near Tailem Bend as they travelled from Victoria.

Detective Superintendent Tony Rankine says police seized almost $2 million worth of drugs.

"In their possession we allege that we found 450 grams of high grade heroin and 250 grams of the drug ice," he said.

"Altogether those drugs represent some 35,000 street deals.

"We anticipate that there will be further arrests in regards to this particular operation, and so our inquiries will be ongoing as the months pass."

The arrests were made as part of Operation Desk, which has been running for three months.

ABC News

 

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Firearm and prohibited drugs seized, man and woman charged — Seven Hills

Friday, 24 Jul 2009 03:20pm

Investigators from the Central Metropolitan Region Enforcement Squad (Surry Hills) have seized prohibited drugs and a sawn-off shotgun in Sydney’s west today.

Acting on information received, officers stopped two vehicles travelling along the Prospect Highway, Seven Hills, about 7.30am.

Police will allege that during a search of one of the vehicles, which was driven by a 30-year-old man, they located approximately 200 MDMA (ecstasy) tablets, cocaine and a sawn-off shotgun.

During a search of the second car, driven by a 26-year-old woman, police will allege they located and seized a quantity of cocaine and cannabis.

The pair was arrested and taken to Blacktown Police Station for questioning.

Meanwhile, a search warrant was executed at the couple’s home, with police seizing cannabis and steroids. A small hydroponics set-up was also located in the garage.

This afternoon the man was charged with possess shortened firearm, possess ammunition, cultivate prohibited plant, possess steroids, indictable supply of a prohibited drug, and two counts of possess prohibited drug.

The woman was charged with two counts of possess prohibited drug.

The pair is due to face Blacktown Local Court at a later date.

NSW Police

 

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Police seize $1m worth of drugs, assets in raids

Mex Cooper

July 24, 2009 - 5:10PM

An allegedly stolen pig was among $1 million worth of drugs and assets seized during a series of police raids on the Mornington Peninsula that ended today.

Nine people, aged between 19 and 71, have been charged after police raided seven homes this week at the end of a seven-month operation into cannabis and amphetamine trafficking.

Homes in Mornington, Mount Martha, Rye, Rosebud, Frankston and the Gippsland town of Drouin were searched and an excavator, also allegedly stolen, was seized along with the pig, 75 kilograms of cannabis worth about $450,000, steroids and more than half a million in assets.

A Victoria Police spokesman said the pig was believed to have been stolen from a Red Hill property.

The nine people who will face charges in relation to the investigation include:

A 71-year-old Rosebud man charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of cannabis, cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis, possessing the proceeds of crime and theft;

A 45-year-old Mornington man charged with trafficking cannabis, possessing the proceeds of crime, and the theft of a pig;

A 33-year-old Mornington man expected to be charged with theft and possessing the proceeds of crime;

A 39-year-old Mornington man charged with theft, possessing the proceeds of crime;

A 42-year-old Drouin man charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of cannabis, cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis, possessing the proceeds of crime and theft;

A 69-year-old Frankston man charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of cannabis, cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis, possessing the proceeds crime and theft;

A 31-year-old Mount Martha woman charged with trafficking, possessing and using cannabis;

A 19-year-old Mount Martha woman charged with possessing cannabis; and

A 39-year-old Mornington man charged with trafficking cannabis and possessing the proceeds of crime (excavator).

The Age

 

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Drug seizures – Katherine

Friday 24-Jul-2009 (1545 hrs CST)

Members of Katherine’s Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk, the Dog Operations Unit and Pine Creek police conducted a road block near the Pine Creek turn-off last night and detected nine people allegedly transporting Cannabis.

The combined operation using the drug detection dogs was aimed at detecting drugs destined for remote communities.

Superintendent Col Smith said the road block was conducted on the Stuart Highway and six vehicles were found to contain Cannabis.

Eighty grams of cannabis were found in the engine bay of a Ford Falcon station wagon when it was searched just before 8pm last night. A 46-year-old woman will appear in court charged with possessing and supply a traffickable quantity of a Schedule 2 substance.

A Mitsubishi Pajero was found to contain a total of 50 grams of Cannabis when it was searched around 10.30pm. A 51-year-old woman and a 52-year-old man will be summonsed for possessing and supplying a dangerous drug.

Around 11.30pm a 45-year-old man was found in possession of 132 grams of Cannabis after his Mitsubishi Pajero was search. Police found the Cannabis hidden inside tubs of flour. The man will face court for possessing a traffickable quantity of Cannabis and supplying Cannabis.

Three other cars were searched and found to contain Cannabis resulting in two men aged 23 and 20 being issued with drug infringement notices after police found 1.5 grams of Cannabis in their backpacks.

A 21-year-old man was also issued with a drug infringement notice after police found 14 grams of Cannabis, and a 55-year-old woman was issued with a drug infringement notice after police found .5 grams of cannabis in her handbag.

Supt Smith said the Operation was aimed at detecting and seizing drugs bound for remote Aboriginal Communities.

“We believe most of the drugs seized were destined for remote communities and the Operation should serve as a reminder to those trying to bring in grog or drugs that the drug dogs and members of the Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk will continue to target these offenders.”

NTFPES

 

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Two people charged, illicit and restricted drugs seized - Walgett

Saturday, 25 Jul 2009 05:35am

A two-month covert operation targeting drug supply in the Walgett area, in the state’s north-west, has resulted in the arrest of a man and woman.

In late May, detectives from Castlereagh Local Area Command established Strike Force Yuille to investigate the distribution of cannabis, amphetamines and restricted prescription medications.

During the covert investigation police will allege they seized quantities of illicit and restricted drugs.

As a result of their inquiries, investigators executed search warrants simultaneously at two residences in Warrena and Dewhurst Streets about 3.30pm yesterday (Friday 24 July).

A number of substances were located in each of the two homes and seized for forensic examination. Police will also allege they seized drug paraphernalia and ammunition.

A 31-year-old man and 35-year-old woman were arrested and taken to Walgett Police Station where they were questioned by Strike Force detectives.

The woman was subsequently charged with five counts of supply prohibited drug, and one count each of goods in custody, possess prohibited drug and possess ammunition without holding licence.

The man was charged with one count each of ongoing supply of a prohibited drug, knowingly take part in supply of prohibited drug and goods in custody.

They were both refused bail to appear in Walgett Local Court this morning.

Inspector Tony Mureau, Castlereagh LAC Crime Manager, said yesterday’s arrests would impact on the availability of illicit drugs in the area.

“Our investigations are ongoing, but we believe this operation will reduce the availability of illicit and restricted prescription drugs in the area,” Inspector Mureau said.

“The help of the public is important and we urge members of the community to come forward if they have any information about the use, supply or manufacture of illicit substances.”

NSW Police

 

[kingpin007]

Police raid at Mallala nets drugs



DANIEL WILLS

July 24, 2009 01:03pm

A MAN has been charged in relation to a police raid in Mallala which uncovered stockpiles of drugs and hydroponic equipment.

Police arrested a 38-year-old Hamley Bridge man, almost a week after cannabis, hash and growing equipment were discovered at a premises on Old Dublin Rd.

Police described the set-up as "extensive and elaborate".

The man has been charged with cultivating a commercial quantity of a controlled drug, possession of prescribed equipment and manufacture of a controlled drug.

He has been bailed to appear in the Tanunda Magistrates Court on October 13.

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,27574,25828347-2682,00.html