The Australian/NZ Drug Busts Mega-Thread Part I

[Splatt]

$44,000 fine for steroids importer - Friday, 14th December 2007

A 38-year-old man from Jerrabomberra in NSW was fined $44,000 in Sydney's Central Local Court today for illegally importing steroids from China.

Mr Marinko Marjanovic had been found guilty of two counts of importing through the post a total of 19.59 grams of methandienone.

The steroids were found by Customs officers checking international mail at Australia Post's Sydney Gateway Facility in July this year.

The magistrate imposed penalties of $22,000 on each of the counts and also awarded legal costs of $9,128 against the defendant.

Customs provided evidence to the court of a large number of emails between Mr Marjanovic, using false names, and a Chinese manufacturer which it claimed showed the defendant was involved in trafficking steroids.

The court also heard about the severe adverse effects associated with anabolic androgenic steroid use such as methandienone which included heart and liver problems, stunted growth, acne, and depression.

Cuntstoms

 

[Splatt]

Man charged over alleged drug importation - Monday, 17th December 2007

Joint Media Realease - Australian Federal Police and the Australian Customs Service

A 56-year-old Nigerian man is expected to appear in Sydney Central local court this morning after allegedly attempting to import drugs into Australia.

The man arrived in Sydney on Saturday (15 December) after travelling from Nigeria through Dubai and Bangkok, and was selected for a baggage examination by Customs officers. Officers became suspicious that he may have been concealing drugs internally.

He was then referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and taken to hospital for a medical examination.

It will be alleged in court that the man passed a total of 45 pellets containing a white powder.

The pellets are currently undergoing forensic testing to determine the type and weight of the substance.

The AFP has charged the man with importing a marketable quantity of a 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.

Customs

 

[Splatt]

Police officers caught drink driving
Last updated 17/12/2007

Two off-duty police officers were caught driving over the blood alcohol limit in two separate incidents last night.

About 8pm an officer from the Warwick District was stopped for a random breath test at Corinda. He was issued a Notice To Appear after allegedly blowing .062%, and will appear in court on January 11, 2008.

About 1.43am this morning, a second officer, from the North Brisbane District was breath tested following a crash at Shorncliffe, when it is alleged the officer’s car drove into a parked vehicle and a fence.

It is alleged the officer had a blood alcohol reading of .167%, and he has been issued a Notice To Appear for December 19.

QLD Police Drink and Drive

 

[Splatt]

81 arrested, charged in five-day crime crackdown - Lower Hunter LAC
Sunday, 16 Dec 2007 11:16am

Police in the Hunter region have arrested 81 people in a five-day offensive combating anti-social and criminal behaviour in the Maitland and Cessnock areas.

‘Operation Vikings’ - which commenced on Tuesday (11 December) - involved dozens of police from Lower Hunter Local Area Command, supported by officers from Brisbane Water, Lake Macquarie, Manning/Great Lakes and Waratah Local Area Commands.

The Dog Unit was also utilised for drug detection purposes, including patrols of local licensed premises.

The high-visibility policing crackdown was launched in response to community concerns about alcohol-fuelled violence, street level drug activity, and commercial break and enters in and around Maitland and Cessnock.

The operation resulted in the arrest of 81 people, who have been charged with a total of 156 offences. Police also shutdown a suspected drug house, seized a significant amount of drugs and cash, and recovered a large quantity of allegedly stolen goods.

Police raided the suspected drug house at Rutherford, in the Hunter Valley, on Tuesday. They arrested five people and allegedly seized cash, drugs including methylamphetamine or ‘Ice’ and cannabis, and drug paraphernalia.

A 32-year-old man and 27-year-old woman were charged with ongoing supply and operating a drug premises, while three other men were charged with being on a drug premises.

On Wednesday (12 December), police executed a search warrant on a Maitland residence and allegedly recovered stolen property, including digital cameras and clothing. A firearm and an amount of ammunition were also seized.

A 49-year-old man was arrested at the scene and subsequently charged with property offences.

Meanwhile, a 27-year-old Edgeworth man was arrested after his vehicle was stopped by police on Friday (14 December).

A background check conducted by police revealed he was wanted by virtue of an arrest warrant for abduction and firearms offences. He was later charged and is currently before the courts.

Police have also used fingerprint identification to arrest and charge several people in relation to a number of unsolved break and enter offences.

Other results from Operation Vikings include:
· 24 people arrested on outstanding warrants;
· 1,050 random breath tests conducted, resulting in 20 charges for drink driving offences;
· 363 Traffic Infringement Notices issued by police for offences, such as speeding; and
· 55 knife searches carried out.

Lower Hunter Local Area Commander, Superintendent Des Organ, said the operation has put a major dent in local crime.

“This operation has taken a lot of crooks off the streets, and importantly it has put a major dent in the local drug trade, which I’m confident will have an impact on other crime areas,” Superintendent Organ said.

“Local police have worked extremely hard in the past five-days to clean-up our streets and that work continues,” Superintendent Organ said. “The arrests and seizures which have come from this operation will go a long way to making the community a safer place for us all to live and local police are whole-heartedly committed in their task of reducing crime in the area.”

“Vikings operations effectively contribute to the daily commitment and performance of local police in addressing crime,” he said. “This is not a one-off operation and the community can expect to see a continuation of this type of policing in the future.”

“This operation has built on the success of previous operations and they will continue into the future, providing a highly-visible and intelligence-driven response to local crime,” he said.

NSW Police

 

[lil angel15]

Three charged over $8 million ICE shipment
Tuesday, 18 Dec 2007 02:00pm

Three men will face court today charged with attempting to possess approximately 20 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (ICE), following a Joint Asian Crime Group (JACG) operation.

A 27-year-old man will today appear in Central Local Court while two 50-year-old men will appear in Sutherland Local Court.

As a result of enquiries by JACG investigators, Customs officers found the crystalline substance contained within the wax walls of candles, which arrived in Sydney on 10 December.

The consignment, which came by sea from Canada, has an estimated potential street value of $8 million.

JACG officers monitored the delivery of the consignment to a Riverwood house in Sydney’s south, yesterday.

The three were arrested and charged with attempt to possess a border controlled drug contrary to section 307.5 under the Criminal Code Act 1995.

JACG Coordinator Detective Chief Inspector John Lehmann said the seizure would have a significant impact on the availability of ice.

“We will continue our work to target those people involved in the trafficking of illicit drugs into Australia, and in particular New South Wales,” Detective Chief Inspector Lehmann said.

“The collaboration between state and federal agencies is essential to the success of these operations.

“Further enquiries are being conducted, with the assistance of Canadian authorities, to identify the origin of these illicit drugs,” he said.

The JACG is a multi-agency, multi-disciplinary unit comprising the AFP, NSW Police Force, Australian Customs Service, the Australian Crime Commission and the NSW Crime Commission. The specialist expertise of its member agencies is used to target major organised criminal activity of Asian syndicates in NSW.

The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment and/or an $825,000 fine.

NSW Police Online

 

[lil angel15]

Bond over 'drug-making' massage oil
SEAN FEWSTER, COURT REPORTER
December 18, 2007 01:50pm

A MAN who bought a key drug-making chemical through auction website eBay, claiming it was massage oil, has narrowly avoided a jail sentence.

Wayne Peter Bahnisch was today told that were there any evidence he used illegally imported sassafras oil to make ecstasy, he would be behind bars.

Instead, District Court Judge Wayne Chivell released him on condition of a two-year, $100 good behaviour bond.

"Your prognosis for rehabilitation is good, but only if you recognise the seriousness of your behaviour," he told Bahnisch.

"You are skirting around very serious penalties for dealing in dangerous drugs.

"Had there been evidence that you intended to, or were involved in the manufacture of ecstasy, you can be assured this (sentence) would not be the course I would be prepared to adopt."

Bahnisch, 28, of Northgate, pleaded guilty to intentionally attempting to import a prohibited item.

The offence carries a maximum sentence of five years, a $110,00 fine, or both.

Last December, Bahnisch bought 800ml of sassafras oil from a Canadian eBay seller for $600.

The oil was potent enough to make 7000 ecstasy tablets, worth $350,000.

Today, Judge Chivell said Bahnish had a previous conviction for smuggling cannabis into a prison for his brother – an ecstasy producer.

He had also insisted the seller label the parcels as "massage oil", as sassafras oil is banned under Australian law.

"This suggests that you were aware it was not a legal import," he said.

The transaction was noticed by Australian Customs Officers, to whom Bahnisch made full admissions.

"You denied you intended to manufacture ecstasy yourself," he said.

"You intended to stockpile the oil and sell it, at some future time, on the black market, knowing it would be worth more that way."

Judge Chivell reduced Bahnisch's two-year sentence to 18 months, to reflect his guilty plea and co-operation.

Adelaide Now

 

[lil angel15]

Two arrested as police continue crackdown on heroin supply - Redfern Local Area Command
Thursday, 20 Dec 2007 02:09pm


Police investigating the supply of heroin at Redfern, in Sydney’s inner-south, have arrested a man and woman following a covert sting this morning.

A 43-year-old woman was arrested by police during the undercover operation on Walker Street, Redfern about 11am today.

A quantity of white powder, believed to be heroin, was also allegedly seized.

The operation, codenamed ‘Gotha’, formed part of Strike Force Vidal - set up in response to community concerns about a perceived rise in drug activity in the local area, particularly around ‘The Block’.

Investigators also executed search warrants on two residential units on Elizabeth Street, Redfern a short time later. A 30-year-old man was arrested by police inside one of the premises. Officers allegedly seized more white powder, thought to be heroin.

The woman and man were taken to Redfern Police Station for questioning by detectives. It is anticipated they will be charged with supply offences and refused bail to appear in Central Local Court later today.

Today’s operation follows last month’s raids on The Block, during which three people were arrested and charged.

Redfern Local Area Command Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Brad Monk, warned police will continue their clampdown on illegal drug activity in the area.

“We have seen in recent months an increase in the prevalence of heroin in the Redfern area, in particular in the number of overdoses recorded,” Detective Inspector Monk said.

“Drugs are a scourge on the community and we will continue to target those who sell and distribute drugs, including heroin, to make the streets safer for all,” he said.

Nsw Police Media Unit

 

[lil angel15]

Four people arrested, cannabis seized during search warrants across Sydney's south-west
Thursday, 20 Dec 2007 03:36pm

Police have arrested and charged four people and seized a large quantity of cannabis following raids across Sydney’s south-west.

Detectives from State Crime Command’s Gangs Squad, in a joint operation with South West Metropolitan Region Enforcement Squad, executed search warrants on houses in Mt Pritchard, Fairfield and Greenfield Park about 7.30am today.

A 40-year-old man was arrested at a home in Grainger Avenue, Mt Pritchard.

Two women, aged 20 and 42, were arrested at a residence in McCarthy Street, Fairfield West.

A 38-year-old man was arrested at a Usher Crescent, Greenfield Park residence.

All four were taken to Cabramatta Police Station and questioned by investigators. They were subsequently charged with various drug offences and conditionally bailed to Liverpool Local Court on a date to be fixed.

Police seized 64 cannabis plants, 12.5kg of dried cannabis head and hydroponics equipment during this morning’s operation.

The drugs have an estimated potential street value of more than $400,000.

It follows extensive inquiries by Strike Force Plumridge, established to investigate criminal activity by organised crime syndicates operating in south-western Sydney and the Illawarra.

NSW Police Media Unit

 

[lil angel15]

Arrests made over drug, lobster seizures

South Australian police say they have seized the equivalent of 550 street deals of amphetamines in drug raids in the state's south-east.

Four arrests have been made after a number of searches over the past two days.

Police allege a total of $29,000 in cash was seized and 21 grams of amphetamines.

At a house where a 60-year-old Mount Gambier man was arrested, fisheries officers also seized 85 rock lobster.

Police Superintendent Mark Fairney says some were under size.

"That's a significant seizure for the south-east; there are ongoing investigations by fisheries officers to lay charges," he said.

Police say that man has appeared in court on drug charges and been remanded in custody until next year.

Three other people have been released on bail.

ABC Online

 

[lil angel15]

Police charge man with drug manufacture - Warilla
Friday, 21 Dec 2007 08:11am

Detectives attached to the Lake Illawarra Local Area Command arrested a man at Warilla yesterday and charged him with the manufacture and possession of amphetamine.

About 3pm police from Strike Force Dunkin comprising the Lake Illawarra drug unit, proactive crime team, criminal investigation and general duties executed a search warrant on a home in Mailey Place, Warilla.

Police arrested a 41-year-old man and will allege that they discovered a lab in the garage of the premises which had been used to manufacture amphetamine.

NSW Fire Brigade HAZMAT officers from Shellharbour attended the premises to assist police and a police guard remained at the premises overnight.

The man was taken to Port Kembla police station where he was charged with manufacture commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, possess commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, supply a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and possess prohibited weapon (crossbow).

The man will appear at Wollongong Local Court later today.

Inquiries by Strike Force Dunkin continue into the incident.

NSW Police Media Unit

 

[lil angel15]

Tip-off leads to drug bust - Public feedback positive

Police found a small amount of what they believe to be illicit drugs when they raided a property in West Dubbo yesterday.
A search warrant was executed at a Leavers Street address at about 11am following information given by members of the public.

The substances allegedly discovered at the premises will be sent away for analysis.

No arrests were made during yesterday’s raid, but police said their investigations would continue.

A drug sniffer dog was used during the raid.

Orana Local Area Command acting crime manager Detective Sergeant Mark Meredith said police targeted the house because of a number of tip-offs provided by the community.

“Through information received from the public, we were able to execute the search warrant, and we will continue to do these types of raids,” Mr Meredith said.

“The feedback I’ve received from the public has been positive - they’re happy we’re doing something.”

Dubbo detectives were seen at the premises yesterday filming and removing a number of items from the house, bagging some of them.

They were also seen talking to people outside the premises, not believed to be the occupants.

The nature and the quantity of the substance allegedly discovered is not yet known.

Daily Liberal

 

[lil angel15]

Drug runner spared jail term

A retired Northern Territory teacher has been sentenced in the Territory Supreme Court for running drugs between Adelaide and Darwin.

Brian Anthony Smith, 66, was caught in Mataranka, south of Darwin, with more than 32 kilograms of cannabis hidden in a compartment of his utility.

Because Smith has heart disease, he has been spared jail, with his four-year prison term wholly suspended.

ABC Online

 

[lil angel15]

Acquitted over major drug haul

A CONVICTED heroin dealer accused of being involved in a record drug haul has been found not guilty by a judge.

George Katsambas walked free from the District Court today, three years after being charged when Avatar Outlaw Motorcycle Gang detectives raided a Prospect home and uncovered a cache of drugs.

Judge Marie Shaw found the 35-year-old not guilty of taking part in the manufacture of methamphetamine, possessing methamphetamine for sale and possessing cocaine for sale.

She said she would give reasons for her decision at a later date.

Katsambas was accused of being part of a drug manufacturing operation after the home was raided by police in February, 2004.

Police discovered what was then the state's largest haul of pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in the manufacture of amphetamines.

Police found:

80.77kg of pseudoephedrine tablets in plastic bags in a cupboard.

ALMOST 1kg of pure methamphetamine.

$336,000 in cash in $50 and $100 notes, hidden in the ceiling.

It was alleged the pseudoephedrine tablets could have produced amphetamine tablets worth millions of dollars, while the pure methamphetamine had a street value of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Prosecutors alleged that Katsambas rented the property and that his DNA and fingerprints were found on rubber gloves and junk mail.

Katsambas's co-accused, Harry Papaioannou, pleaded guilty earlier this year in relation to the haul and was sentenced to six years and two months in jail.

In 1997 Katsambas was sentenced for his role in what was described by a judge as "a large, well-organised and obviously successful heroin-selling network" in Adelaide.

He was sentenced to 12 years in jail with a non-parole period of six years.

Katsambas's name and Papaioannou's guilty plea were suppressed earlier this year but the suppression orders were lifted by Judge Shaw after delivering her decision.

AdelaideNow

 

[lil angel15]

$700,000 drug swoop
ELISSA DOHERTY
December 22, 2007 04:00pm

Detective Superintendant Linda Fellows, officer in charge of SA's Drug Investigation Branch with the seized ice, cocaine and cash.

A 23-YEAR-OLD Semaphore woman has been arrested getting off a plane at Adelaide Airport in what police say is one of the state's biggest 'ice' busts.

A joint operation involving SA and NSW police saw seven people arrested on Friday over a $2 million haul of the highly addictive drug ice and cocaine, as well as firearms, cash, steroids and chemicals used to make ice.
Police said the sting stopped 11,370 deals of cocaine and ice hitting the streets of Adelaide this week, worth about $700,000.

They allege the Adelaide woman was attempting to smuggle the drugs – about 570 grams of ice and 567 grams of cocaine – in a shampoo bottle and baby powder container in her suitcase.

But SA police swooped as she disembarked the plane about 1.30pm, arresting and charging her with trafficking a commercial quantity of a controlled drug.

It is believed the woman is well-known in Adelaide's nightclub scene.

Police also later arrested two people who were travelling with her on the flight from Sydney – a 22-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man both from NSW, on the same charge.

A fourth man already in Adelaide, a 26-year-old from NSW, was also arrested with them.

All four have been refused bail and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrate's Court on Monday.

Recent amendments to the Controlled Substances Act in SA mean anyone convicted of a drug trafficking offence faces a maximum life sentence.

Police will allege in court a car found with almost $24,000 in cash was connected to those arrested.

"Clearly what we will allege (in court) is that there was transaction thought to occur, and certainly the exchange of cash was part of that transaction," said Detective Superintendant Linda Fellows, officer in charge of the SA's Drug Investigation Branch.

As a result of the Adelaide arrests, NSW police executed search warrants on a number of properties in and around Sydney.

Three men were arrested in Sydney after police seized a further 1kg of ice, 500 grams of cocaine, "significant quantities" of pre-cursor chemicals used in ice production, steriods, three firearms, a silencer, ammunition, magazines and ecstasy tablets.

The ice and cocaine had a street value of $1.3 million.

Supt Fellows said it was one of SA's most significant drug seizures in recent years.

She said conservatively, the drug haul would equate to about 25,000 street deals between the two states.

"This a significant seizure, without doubt these drugs were headed for the streets of Adelaide and if not for the seizure yesterday, would have been on the streets within the next few days I'd imagine," she said.

"Ice and cocaine cause harm to the community and harm to the people who take them, we are very pleased to have taken them off the streets.

"As part of the investigation we had suspicions that drugs were coming into Adelaide on that flight and as a result we stopped a 23-year-old female from Adelaide.

"Her luggage was searched and located inside a shampoo container and a baby powder container were these drugs.

"We believe at this stage we have arrested those who were immediately responsible for the transportation into Adelaide."

She said police will allege that they intercepted a "significant" enterprise.

"Our allegations in court will be that there was a significant enterprise in planning and organising this importation and we intercepted that at the airport," she said.

Police believe the methamphetamine, or ice, was most likely produced in Australia.

However the cocaine was more likely to have been imported, and police will rely on forensic testing to establish its purity and its origin.

Supt Fellows said investigations were continuing and could not rule out more arrests.

AdelaideNow

 

[lil angel15]

Five people arrested at NSW dance party
December 23, 2007 - 9:21AM

Five people have been arrested over drug charges at a dance party in Sydney's west.

Police officers and drug dogs searched 55 people at the Daft Punk Neverland party at a showground at Homebush on Saturday afternoon.

The five-hour event kicked off around 2pm (AEDT) and resulted in the arrest of five men aged between 18 and 27.

Police allegedly seized quantities of cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis and charged four of the men with possessing and supplying a prohibited drug.

A fifth man was charged with failing to leave a licensed premises.

All of the men were granted conditional bail and are due to appear in court in January.

The AGE

 

[lil angel15]

Public help in drug busts
27 December 2007 - 2:47PM

TIP-OFFS from the public provided Port Lincoln police with enough information to raid six locations for drugs, following the drug phone-in on December 18.
From 8am to 8pm people could call the police about any drug-related information in the city.

Constable Bridgette Abell said this resulted in three apprehension reports, seven cannabis expiation notices being issued, plus it provided police with other valuable information.

“The community were quite involved and very helpful with the information they provided,” she said.

Another drug phone-in is being planned for early next year, which may see the phone line open for a month.

Ms Abell said there was no specific drug problem, but drugs were still an issue and often prompted other crime.

The three apprehension reports were issued to a 29-year-old woman, who was arrested for hindering and resisting police (under the Controlled Substances Act); a 36-year-old man for hindering police and indecent language; and a 47-year-old man for carrying an offensive weapon.

Of the seven cannabis expiation notices issued, three went to a 36-year-old man, and women aged 42 and 33 for possessing cannabis and equipment.

An 18-year-old man and 50-year-old woman received notices for possessing equipment, a 47-year-old man was issued a notice for possessing cannabis, and a 36-year-old man received a notice for possessing cannabis and equipment, and cultivating cannabis plant.

Port Lincoln Times

 

[lil angel15]

Women caught with drugs in stomach - police
December 27, 2007 02:30pm

TWO Zambian women have been charged with drug offences after flying into Sydney allegedly carrying pellets of heroin in their stomachs.

The pair, aged 31 and 29, arrived at Sydney airport on Christmas Day on a flight from Dubai and were interviewed by customs officers, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said in a statement.

"During questioning, customs officers became suspicious the women may have been concealing drugs internally," the statement said.

AFP officers then took the women to a Sydney hospital for a medical examination.

"The AFP will allege in court that one of the women later passed 51 pellets believed to contain heroin... the second woman passed 58 pellets," the spokesman said.

Forensic experts are working to confirm that the pellets contain heroin and its purity and exact quantity, the AFP said.

Both women have been charged with importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug, and they will appear in Sydney's Central Local Court today.

The maximum penalty for the offence is 25 years' jail and/or a fine of up to $550,000.

Herald Sun

 

[lil angel15]

Men charged after alleged drug lab find
28th December 2007, 17:15 WST

Two men have been charged over an alleged attempt to manufacture amphetamine after a joint investigation involving WA Police and the Australian Customs Service.

Organised crime squad detectives allege a 30-year-old South Fremantle man imported chemicals used to make the drug.

That man allegedly met with a 38-year-old Bertram man earlier today at a commercial site in Naval Base.

Detectives and Customs agents swooped and allegedly uncovered solvents, acids, utensils and other items used to make amphetamine.

Both men have been charged with attempting to manufacture a prohibited drug. They are due to appear in the East Perth Magistrate’s Court tomorrow.

The West Australian

 

[lil angel15]

Men arrested after ephedrine mailed to WA
December 29, 2007 12:00pm

TWO Perth men have been arrested following a month-long investigation into drug ingredients being mailed into Western Australia from overseas.

Australian Customs says its officers were scanning incoming international mail early this month when they found two parcels containing the precursor chemical ephedrine.

It lead to a raid on a commercial property in Perth yesterday, and the arrest of the men aged 30 and 38.

"Ephedrine is a precursor chemical that can be diverted from its legitimate use to the illegal manufacture of methamphetamines,'' Australian Customs said in a statement today.

"Investigations began . . . when customs officers screening international mail examined two parcels from India and Pakistan.

"The parcels contained 500 grams and 900 grams of a substance alleged to be ephedrine.''
It is illegal to import ephedrine without a permit.

Customs said it was also working with WA Police to investigate a "large number of suspected scatter importations through international mail''.

The two men have been charged with attempting to manufacture a prohibited drug, and they were due to appear before the East Perth Magistrates Court today.

Sunday Times

 

[lil angel15]

Bail refused on drug charges
02 January 2008 - 9:21AM

A search warrant executed on New Year's Eve led to the discovery of what police allege was about $30, 000 worth of amphetamines.

A "significant amount" of the alleged illicit substance was discovered at an accommodation lodge near Dubbo's CBD.

Dubbo detectives raided the premises at 4:35pm on Monday after obtaining a warrant.

They arrested a 38-year-old man and conveyed him to Dubbo Police Station where he was interviewed and subsequently charged with drug possession and supply charges.

He was refused bail by police to appear at Dubbo Local Court today.

"The search warrant was conducted in relation to drug supply," plain clothes Constable Luke Scott said. "A 38-year-old male was arrested and charged with possessing a prohibited drug, and supplying a prohibited drug.

"A significant amount of what's believed to be amphetamines was found, with an alleged estimated street value of $30, 000."

Daily Liberal