The Australian/NZ Drug Busts Mega-Thread Part I

[Splatt]

Dance party drug arrests – Homebush Bay
9TH September, 2007

Police arrested 18 people for drug possession during an operation at a dance party Last night.

Officers from Flemington Local Area Command, Wetherill Park and Bass Hill Region Enforcement Squads and the Dog Unit last night conducted the operation outside the dance party at the State Sports Centre.

The operation used drug dogs and aimed to deter the use and supply of illegal substances.

During the four hour operation, police arrested 18 people for the possession of illicit drugs including ecstasy and cannabis.

The 17 people were charged with drug related offences and will appear at Burwood Local Court on Tuesday 2 October.

One other person was issued with a cannabis caution.

NSW Police Media

 

[Splatt]

Drug lab arrest, Coopers Plains
09/09/2007

A 44-year-old Inala man and a 35-year-old Coopers Plains woman have been charged in relation the alleged location of a drug lab at a Coopers Plains address last night.

The man was charged with one count each of produce a dangerous drug and possess thing used in the commission of a crime, and two counts each of possess relevant substances or things and possess tainted property. He will appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court tomorrow.

The woman was charged with permit use of place and will appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on September 24.

QLD Police Media - Afternoon Round-up

 

[hoptis]

Two charged with money laundering
10/09/07

A man and a woman from Mount Barker Springs in the Adelaide hills have been charged with money laundering and other offences.

Police say they raided a house yesterday and allegedly found $70,000 in cash, cannabis, a taser gun and capsicum spray.

The 34-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman will appear in court later.

ABC News

 

[hoptis]

Drugs a possible motive in nightclub killing
September 10, 2007 05:28pm

POLICE say they are not ruling out drugs as a motive in the gangland-style killing of a 29-year-old Wollongong man on the weekend.

Dragan Sekuljica was shot dead at the north Wollongong Novotel hotel's nightclub on Saturday morning.

Witnesses said Mr Sekuljica was chased into the Splashes nightclub by a man wearing a balaclava, who shot him in the head.

A security guard was also shot before the man fled on foot.

Wollongong Chief Inspector Joe Mura said police were investigating several possible angles, and were not ruling out drugs as a possible factor in the killing.

"He (Sekuljica) has some history with police and is known to police," said Chief Insp Mura.

"We are still investigating a number of directions but can't confirm they are gang orientated or drug-related at this stage."

Chief Insp Mura said the killer was after a specific target.

"It appears they were after a certain individual and it was an ambush style killing," he said.

Detectives are appealing to anyone who was in the nightclub who has not given a statement, or was with the deceased on the night, to come forward.

"We are appealing to those who know him or his dealings, those who were with him beforehand or are aware of his history," he said.

Walter Imos, manager of the Novotel's nightclub, told ABC Illawarra the establishment had just recently reopened.

"It was not a nightclub brawl, the incident started outside on the road and the victim sought refuge in the club," he said.

"We are all surprised and shocked. It could have happened in a mall or at a school, we were just unfortunately there."

News.com.au

 

[Splatt]

Man to face court over drug lab
11/09/2007

A 32-year-old man is expected to face Southport Court today in relation to the alleged discovery of an amphetamines laboratory in the bedroom of a house at Southport yesterday afternoon.

Around 2pm yesterday police executed a search warrant at the Musgrave Avenue residence and allegedly located the laboratory in operation.

The Queensland Police Illicit Laboratory Investigation Team (ILIT) from Brisbane attended and rendered the scene safe.

The man from Southport has been charged with drug offences including produce a dangerous drug, possess a dangerous drug, possess relative substances/things and possession of a prohibited combinations of items.

QLD Police Media


Burglary of pharmacy, Woolloongabba
10/09/2007

Two men broke into an Annerley Road pharmacy and stole a quantity of medication on Saturday night. The men broke into the premises around 11.40pm before escaping with the medication. Police are seeking public assistance to locate the offenders, however no description is available at this time.

QLD Police Media

 

[Splatt]

Customs seize growing quantities of weight loss product
Tuesday, 11st September 2007

Australian Customs is warning the public that they should take care when ordering certain commercial weight loss products over the Internet as they risk having the goods seized.

Products affected are those that contain the Hoodia plant, which is claimed to possess natural appetite suppressant qualities.

Hoodia originates in the Kalahari Desert region of southern Africa. It is a restricted item under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Trade in the plant is threatening its long-term survival.

CITES management in Australia is a function of the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Water Resources (DEW). Customs provides the border protection role on behalf of DEW.

Customs officers checking mail at Australia Post's International Gateway Facility at Clyde in Sydney's western suburbs are now intercepting more than 100 packages, containing Hoodia, per month. To date, they have seized in excess of 2,500 mail packages.

Customs Director Post North, Karen Williams, said CITES-listed wildlife products can only be brought into Australia for personal or commercial use provided correct CITES permits are obtained.

"It appears most if not all of these mail packages have been ordered over the Internet and no permission has been given to allow the products into Australia. Customs has no alternative but to seize them and it is likely that eventually they will be destroyed."

DEW should be contacted prior to any trade in CITES-listed products to find out about permit requirements. Information is available at www.environment.gov.au

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Larger pictures viewable below:
Customs Media Unit

 

[hoptis]

Official admits giving public housing to drug dealers
By Paul Carter
September 12, 2007 06:57pm

A NSW public housing officer has rolled over at a corruption inquiry, admitting to taking bribes in exchange for allocating Sydney public housing to drug dealers.

He also admitted to tipping the dealers off about police operations on the housing estates at Miller and Cartwright, in southwest Sydney, between 2001 and 2006.

The tenor of Douglas Norris's evidence to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in Sydney today turned about-face when he was surprised with three secretly video-taped meetings between him and his fixer, Garry Hogan.

The meetings were recorded when Hogan – a self-confessed petty criminal who appeared in prison uniform to give evidence against Mr Norris – had worn a wire, and when investigators bugged Hogan's home.

Mr Norris' complexion reddened and he slumped in the witness box as 30 minutes of the damning exchanges were played to the inquiry.

After being granted time out from giving evidence, counsel assisting the inquiry Carolyn Davenport SC asked Mr Norris: "Do you now admit that you accepted bribes in return for allocating Department of Housing accommodation to tenants?"

Mr Norris replied quietly: "Yes".

He also admitted that he knew a number of the flats were used for selling drugs.

He admitted a female "ice" dealer nicknamed Tinkerbell, whom he'd set up in a flat used only for selling drugs, was registered improperly in another person's name.

In his senior role, Mr Norris met regularly with police, who talked to him about their operations to combat the rampant local drug trade on the troubled estates.

Mr Norris admitted to passing that information on to the dealers, but in his defence said the information used to go the opposite way.

"Before I became dirty, I was assisting police as much as possible to crack down on drugs in the area," he said.

The inquiry was told Mr Norris and Mr Hogan "bodgied" paperwork together, backdating applications 10 years for four clients from 2003.

For his part, Mr Hogan said he "took a drink", a kick-back, of up to $200 for each referral.

The inquiry was told that the going rate to Mr Norris to find someone a bedsit was between $500 to $700, rising to $1700 for a three-bedroom flat.

Small-time drug dealer Bruce Murray, Mr Hogan's mate who introduced him to Mr Norris, was the housing officer's first customer in 2001.

The inquiry heard that at least eight people had paid Mr Norris to jump the housing queue.

After waiting 10 years for a bedsit, Murray gave evidence today that he was upgraded to a one-bedroom flat within two weeks of starting to pay Mr Norris $500.

The public housing was supposed to be allocated to those most in need and to those who had been waiting longest in the queue.

The inquiry continues tomorrow with more evidence from Mr Norris.

News.com.au

 

[lil angel15]

More than a dozen people arrested at dance party - Redfern LAC
17 September 2007

Police have arrested and charged a number of people over alleged drug-related offences following an operation at a dance party which was held in Sydney Park yesterday (Sunday 16 September).

A number of officers from Redfern and other Local Area Commands within the Central Metropolitan Region conducted Operation Earthdance 2007, targeting drug offences and alcohol-related crime at an organised event at St Peters.

General duties police, as well as drug detection dogs and officers from the Public Order and Riot Squad were at the dance party held between 9am and 9pm.

Redfern Local Area Commander, Superintendent Mark Walton, said throughout the day a number of people were arrested for various offences including drug possession, drug supply, assault and stealing.

“I am disappointed so many young people are wasting their lives through taking drugs. I have received reports that up to 14 young people were treated by ambulance and St John volunteer officers for suspected drug overdoses and conveyed to hospital.”

“The dangers of taking illicit drugs are well known and it saddens me to see many young people affected.”

“Due to the concerns of the amount of intoxicated people police ceased the serving of alcohol at 7.30pm,” said Superintendent Walton

In all up to 18 drug detections were made, 15 people were issued cannabis cautions.

In one incident a 30-year-old Alexandria man was allegedly found in possession of a number of tablets believed to be ecstasy. He was charged with supply and possess prohibited drug and was granted bail to appear at Newtown Local Court on 9 October 2007.

NSW Police Media Unit

Interesting to note that it appears 15/18 detections were Cannabis related.

 

[lil angel15]

Man sold speed to girls, 14 and 15
Christine Flatley | September 17, 2007 - 12:30PM

A man who supplied drugs to teenage girls will spend the next nine months behind bars.

Stuart John Creagh, 42, pleaded guilty today to seven counts of supplying a dangerous drug to a minor in July and August 2005.

The Queensland Supreme Court heard the girls, aged 14 and 15 at the time, had visited his home at Mount Gravatt, on Brisbane's southside, several times to get cannabis and speed.

Crown prosecutor Michael Byrne said the girls were already acquainted with drug use and there was no allegation Creagh had introduced them to the illegal substances.

The court was told the pair used the drugs with Creagh on a number of occasions and in various ways.

On some visits, they smoked the drugs, on others they consumed them from a cup and on further occasions Creagh helped the girls inject them.

The court was told Creagh had a long history of drug abuse.

He started using heroin when he was 15, a habit that he kicked only six years ago.

Justice Glenn Martin said it was a "sad coincidence" that Creagh supplied drugs to two children who were the same age the defendant was when he formed his habit.

"While we cannot see into the future, it may be that these supplies to these young girls may have a similar unhappy effect on them," Justice Martin said.

He sentenced Creagh to two years for each of the five counts of supplying speed, and one year each for the two counts of supplying cannabis.

Justice Martin ordered Creagh be released on parole in June next year.

Brisbane Times

 

[lil angel15]

Coast drugs blitz nets 24
3:46p.m. 17 September 2007

Twenty-four people have been charged after a major four-day drug operation on the Sunshine Coast.

Ecstasy tablets, amphetamines, cannabis, cash and mobile phones were seized by police during the operation, dubbed Foxtrot Oatmeal.

Three women and 21 men, aged between 18 and 44, will appear in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court over the next two weeks.

A police spokesperson said they had been charged with 75 offences, including 26 charges of supplying dangerous drugs.

The operation was conducted across the Coast, with officers from the Sunshine Coast Criminal Investigation Branch, Child Protection Investigative Unit, Tactical Crime Squad and State Crime Operations Command intercepting vehicles and searching premises.

Sunshine Coast Daily

 

[hoptis]

Sydney dance party fallout
September 17, 2007 - 4:53PM

More than a dozen people are facing charges for drug, assault and stealing offences at a daytime dance party in an inner Sydney park.

As many as 14 youths were treated for drug overdoses and taken to hospital from the dance party in Sydney Park yesterday, a police spokesman said.

Officers from the public order and riot squad and general police with drug sniffer dogs were called to the 12-hour dance party, which began at 9am.

"I am disappointed so many young people are wasting their lives through taking drugs," Superintendent Mark Walton said in a statement.

"I have received reports that up to 14 young people were treated by ambulance and St John volunteer officers for suspected drug overdoses and conveyed to hospital."

By 7.30pm, police ordered a stop to the serving of alcohol at the event, which was attended by thousands of young people.

Drugs were detected in up to 18 cases, including 15 people who were caught with cannabis and issued warnings.

A 30-year-old man allegedly found with ecstasy tablets was charged with possessing and supplying a prohibited drug.

He was granted bail and was to appear in Newtown Local Court on October 9.

Details of charges related to other offences were not immediately available.

AAP

SMH

 

[Splatt]

Woman to face court over cocaine in jacket - Monday, 17th September 2007
Joint media release - Australian Customs and the Australian Federal Police

A 20-year-old woman will face a Melbourne court today following an alleged attempt to bring cocaine into Australia inside a jacket she was wearing.

The woman is due to face Melbourne Magistrate's Court this morning.

Customs officers selected the United States citizen for a baggage search when she arrived at Melbourne International Airport on a flight from Los Angeles on Friday morning (14 September).

During the search, a package containing a white powder was found in her jacket. A field test indicated the presence of cocaine.

The woman was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) who charged her with importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug and possessing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug contrary to the Criminal Code Act 1995.

The package allegedly contained approximately 265 grams of cocaine.

The maximum penalty for importing a marketable quantity of cocaine is 25 years imprisonment and/or a fine of $550,000.

Customs Media Release

 

[lil angel15]

Over 250 cannabis plants seized in south-west Sydney
Tuesday, 18 September 2007



Police have seized over 250 cannabis plants during a raid in a house in south-west Sydney today.

The Region Enforcement Squad Wetherill Park searched a house in Buranda Crescent, St Johns Park where they located the enhanced indoor cultivation of cannabis inside the premise and in a rear shed.

A 17-year-old man and a 16-year-old female assisted police with their inquiries.

Police seized 257 plants, and a large quantity of hydroponic equipment including shades, lamps and transformers. It’s estimated the street value of the plants is $800,000.

A man, 17, was arrested and taken to Cabramatta Police Station where he was charged with knowingly take part in cultivate prohibited plant and be on drug premises.

Another man, 42, was charged with cultivate prohibited plant greater than commercial quantity, operate drug premises and steal electricity.

Both men will face court tomorrow.

Inquiries are continuing as police intend to interview the 16-year-old female at a later date.

LiveNews

 

[lil angel15]

Four charged with drug offences
September 20, 2007 12:59pm

FOUR people allegedly linked to outlaw motorcycle gangs have been charged with drug offences after a series of police raids on the Gold Coast.

Police say detectives from Task Force Hydra and the Gold Coast found a large quantity of drugs, including amphetamines, ecstasy and cannabis, along with weapons and illegal fireworks yesterday.

Two men and two women will appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on October 10 on a number of drug-related and weapons charges.

Those arrested allegedly have links to the Finks and Lone Wolves motorcycle gangs.

The task force is continuing its investigations.

Gold Coast News

 

[lil angel15]

Heroin found hidden in woman's shoes
September 22, 2007 - 11:34AM

Heroin has been found hidden in a woman's shoes when she arrived at Sydney Airport, Australian Customs says.

The 39-year-old arrived at Sydney on a flight from Vietnam and during a search Customs officers allegedly found about 600 grams of heroin in her shoes.

Initial tests on a white powder found in the shoes showed a presence of heroin, a Customs spokeswoman said.

The quantity of heroin has an estimated street value of about $180,000.

The woman was charged with importing a marketable quantity of an illegal drug and refused bail. She is due to face Parramatta Bail Court.

The AGE

 

[lil angel15]

Customs' steroid haul
Peter Hansen
September 23, 2007 12:00am

GOLD Coast male model Brendan Brophy has had nearly $20,000 in cash frozen by Customs investigators who allege he has been importing and selling steroids and other illegal body-building drugs.

Brophy, 27, is facing several serious drug charges.
Details of the Customs case against him emerged this month with documents lodged in the Brisbane District Court.

Model advertisements on the internet show a muscular Brophy and his modelling achievements and show biz appearances: second in Australia Manhunt International Model of the Year 2003; appearances on Manpower Australia reality TV 2005; member of the Australian Super Hunks and Main Event revue.

Customs investigator John Currie alleged in an affidavit that Brophy unlawfully imported human growth hormones and anabolic steroids four times in August and September last year.

The drugs were discovered in a bond store in Sydney. Three consignments were in five boxes each containing 20 vials of a white powder which was supposed to be samples of titanium dioxide but when tested turned out to be HGH (human growth hormone).

The drugs, from China, were addressed to a man who had reported that his driver's licence and wallet had been stolen three years before, investigators discovered. When questioned, the man had no knowledge of the imports.

Some consignments were addressed to post office boxes but one was addressed to the home of a woman who also knew nothing about it.

Customs intercepted another parcel sent from China on September 21 addressed to a Gold Coast Ashmore home.

When agents executed a search warrant, they allegedly found money and anabolic steroids.

Glass vials, labels and other drug-related gear were found in a bedroom, Mr Currie said.

He said Brophy faced three counts of importing HGH and other serious drug charges.

Brophy, who is on bail awaiting trial, consented to the restraining order on the $19,950 in cash the investigators seized on suspicion it was the proceeds of crime.

Courier Mail

 

[hoptis]

Ex-Australian Crime Commission officer corrupted by work
Keith Moor
September 24, 2007 12:00am

AN undercover policeman who investigated mafia boss Mario Condello's gun dealer has been jailed for selling ecstasy and other illegal drugs.

The corrupt former Australian Crime Commission officer was also convicted of disclosing official secrets and for weapons offences.

He was due to give evidence against Adelaide sex shop owner Bill Nash this year in a case involving Nash selling an arsenal of guns to Condello during Melbourne's gang war.

Special arrangements had been made for the former ACC officer to testify by video link from a prison in another state.

However he did not have to testify after Nash, 62, pleaded guilty to charges of selling and possessing illegal weapons.

The former porn king will be sentenced in Adelaide's District Court.

Nash's plea change saved the embarrassment of the former ACC officer's corruption being aired in open court.

The guilty plea also means the Herald Sun can reveal details of the corrupt officer's fall from grace.

The Herald Sun has seen documents outlining the disgraced officer's drug dealing and weapons offences.

He committed the crimes in late 2005 -- about a year after working undercover on the Condello gun case for the ACC.

Condello, 53, was shot dead on February 6 last year as he was parking at his luxury Brighton East home. His murder has not been solved.

The ex-ACC officer's name has been suppressed, so the Herald Sun will call him Sgt X.

Nash owns two of South Australia's biggest sex shops, has been a judge of the Miss Nude Australia competition for several years and used to operate brothels.

The Herald Sun last week revealed that an underworld figure bought an arsenal of weapons from Nash for Condello in 2003 at the height of Melbourne's gangland war.

The underworld figure -- codenamed 166 -- became an informer for the ACC in return for the dropping of weapons charges against him.

166 introduced the ACC's undercover Sgt X to Nash in May 2004 after 166 had bought guns from Nash for Condello.

Nash sold Sgt X nine guns and a lot of ammunition.

Sgt X was jailed for 20 months in August last year after pleading guilty to selling and possessing illegal drugs, possessing an unlicensed shotgun and ammunition and disclosing official secrets.

The magistrate who sentenced Sgt X said his role as an undercover agent may have contributed to him offending.

"As part of his duties he is required to involve himself in a drug culture, perhaps to a far greater extent than otherwise would be expected," the magistrate said.

"These duties have certainly impacted upon his perceptions and perhaps the effect of right and wrong -- the line to be drawn."

The magistrate said the offences occurred over three months and probably would have continued if the corrupt officer hadn't been caught.

Police found the unlicensed shotgun wrapped in a towel and in a cupboard.

It had had its serial number removed, the magistrate said while sentencing Sgt X.

"He says he's had it for some considerable time. . . . for what purpose?" the magistrate asked.

"The fact that it's found with ammunition for that particular gun, in my view is, likewise, alarming."

Herald Sun

 

[lil angel15]

Drug arrest - Hoppers Crossing
Tue 25 September 2007

Werribee police have arrested a 31-year-old man following a drug raid at a Hoppers Crossing factory last Wednesday 19 September.

Police executed a search warrant at the Motto Court premises at about 2.30pm and located a hydroponic system and seven plants, believed to be cannabis.

A substantial quantity of crystal methylamphetamine, more commonly known as ice, a large quantity of an unknown white powder and a white compound were located inside the factory.

The unknown substances have been sent away for forensic testing.

Police said a large quantity of re-sealable plastic bags were also found in addition to a set of digital scales and plastic cooking scales.

The man has since been charged with traffick crystal methylamphetamine (ice), possess crystal methylamphetamine (ice), use crystal methylamphetamine (ice), cultivate a narcotic plant (cannabis), traffick cannabis and possess cannabis.

He was bailed by a bail justice in an out of court session and is scheduled to appear in the Werribee Magistrates Court on 12 December 2007

Wyndham Acting Inspector Bill Weatherly said the arrest should send a clear message that police were heavily targeting drug-related crime.

“This is a significant arrest and I praise the efforts of all of the police officers involved,” Inspector Weatherly said.

“We will continue to target drug-related offences in Wyndham and I believe this arrest will have a significant impact on the local drug trade.”

Victorian Police Media Unit

 

[lil angel15]

Trial for Sydney pair after court told of 'chance' cocaine bust
25Sep07

TWO Sydney men allegedly at the centre of the Gold Coast's largest chance cocaine bust were yesterday committed for trial, despite the best efforts of their representatives to undermine the prosecution's case.

The defence barristers for both Craig Campbell Davis, 36, and Terrance Michael Day, 46, interrogated arresting officers over their grounds for a subsequent search of the Currumbin holiday unit that the men had been renting.

The search uncovered more than half a kilogram of cocaine, 18 ecstasy tablets, almost $11,000 in cash, mobile phones, scales, a money counter and small plastic bags.

Senior Constable Michael Harriss of the Burleigh Criminal Investigation Branch explained two junior officers had gone to the unit initially to arrest the men over a small amount of cannabis found by a cleaner; then the 'chance discovery' of a bag of white powder was made.

Barrister Simon Lewis, representing Mr Davis, asked why the officers did not get a search warrant before continuing to search the unit.

Mr Lewis said there were no grounds for police to do a follow-up search as there was no real risk of the evidence being destroyed.

Sen-Const Harriss said he did not feel the officers were in a position to secure the scene until they were able to get a search warrant.

"There are too many unknowns. We don't know if there was a propensity for violence, we're talking about a major quantity of drugs so there would be a lot at stake for the people involved," he said.

The court was told a post-search warrant and the follow-up search had been approved by a Southport magistrate after the initial search on February 24.

But Mr Lewis continued to berate Sen-Const Harriss in the witness box, saying he had been untruthful in his application.

"You have simply been dishonest because you knew there was no basis for the warrant. You have been nothing but dishonest and misleading," said Mr Lewis.

"Nobody could spare the time to get a warrant and do things properly."

Sen-Const Harriss denied the allegations, replying that 'things were done properly, thank you'.

Both accused will stand trial in the Supreme Court in Brisbane on a date to be set.

Mr Davis faces charges of unlawfully possessing, supplying and trafficking cocaine and possessing scales used to supply a dangerous drug.

Mr Day will defend charges of unlawfully supplying, trafficking and possessing cocaine as well as possessing MDMA (ecstasy).

Gold Coast News

 

[lil angel15]

Teen holiday-maker guilty of possessing ecstacy
September 24, 2007 19:00:00

A 19-year-old man from Brisbane has pleaded guilty to possessing drugs while holidaying in Darwin.

Last week Nicholas Geoffrey Brown was arrested at Darwin International Airport when a search of his luggage found 20 ecstasy tablets.

In the Darwin Magistrate's Court today Brown pleaded guilty to possessing a dangerous drug, but escaped a jail penalty, instead being sentenced to a 12 month good behaviour bond.

ABC Online