The Australian/NZ Drug Busts Mega-Thread Part I

[hoptis]

Man charged over acid, speed bust
Posted Sun Aug 26, 2007 9:33am AEST

A man has been charged after police allegedly found more than one kilogram of amphetamine and almost 750 LSD tabs in his car.

Police stopped the man's car on Garratt Road in Bayswater on Friday.

When a passenger holding a beer bottle got out of the car to talk to police, the driver sped 200 metres on to the Garratt Road Bridge and dumped a sports bag into the river.

Police say the drugs found in the car were worth more than $250,000.

Police divers have been searching the river for the sports bag.

ABC News

 

[PrisonTrip]

Queensland Drug Raid Update:

Expect news from WWW.Police.QLD.GOV.AU, clicking Current Media Release soon on a fair few raids from what I hear. A lot of the boys "O-LMCG" clubhouses of several gangs have been raided up and down the coast and Brisbane, including smaller chapters in Far East-Northerh NSW. These aren't appearing in the news yet because it is an ongoing investigation. Almost every one in these clubhouses took phones off the bikies, sometimes coming in with shotguns, handguns, and flak shields, bullet proof vests and helmets. So I guess they're going through the phones for messages and maybe even checking phone recordings at the moment, but if you're part of anything to do with these people, stay quiet for the time being and act smart, and just have fun. It's the people like the Lone Wolfs and Rebels who fuck it up for the other clubs that just like riding and partying. They even seized a number of motorcycles, for apparent examination to see if they had been used to smuggle drugs, but they're just doing it so the boys come forward to get tyheir bikes and have a talk to get info.

Here are a few other Queensland Updates that didn't make it over the last few days, all available at the link above. But the next threee months theres going to be a major drug operation, and it's not just about Schoolies and the PMA pills and pill death. When the testing comes into trial in November be warned. They're being quiet about a certain technique they may use, wheel and gear swabs that can test for a range of substances or natural hormones/chemicals released more while on drugs coming from your sweat. They've trialed them North NSW for years now when they detect a driver is on something else and take them for a blood test if the swab shows a positive.

Now for the small updates:

23rd August, 2007
Drug charges, Gladstone: Twenty-eight people have been charged with a total of 65 offences following a major drug operation in Gladstone this week. Operation Element involved executing search warrants at 40 addresses in the Gladstone region on Monday, Wednesday, and today. The charges relate to the supply, production and possession of drugs. Police seized quantities of ecstasy, methylamphetamines, cannabis, cash, and drug-related equipment.

QLD Police Media Release

23rd August, 2007
Drug charges, Ipswich: Police charged eight people today after a series of raids that targeted illegal drug activities in the Ipswich area. A total of 27 charges, mostly relating to drugs and firearms, were laid following the commencement of Operation Gander. Officers involved in the operation executed a number of search warrants, and as a result located two drugs laboratories in Tivoli and Ipswich. Police will continue investigating possible drug-related activities in the district.

QLD Police Media Release

24th August, 2007
Drug arrests and drug laboratories, Sunshine Coast


Police from the Sunshine Coast District conducted a series of raids yesterday morning in relation to Operation Archive, a local drug operation.

Search warrants were executed on 20 Sunshine Coast addresses resulting in 18 people being arrested and charged with 111 drug and crime related offences.

Quantities of drugs including cannabis and amphetamines were located along with assorted property stolen from motor vehicles.

Police also uncovered two clandestine amphetamine laboratories, one at Maroochydore and one at Kunda Park. Additional charges may be forthcoming after investigations by the Illicit Laboratory Investigation Team are completed.

There will be court appearances at the Caloundra, Noosa and Maroochydore Magistrates Courts in the coming weeks.

QLD Police Media Release

24th August, 2007
Drug charges, South Rockhampton: Police have charged a man after allegedly locating a quantity of drugs during a search at a residence in South Rockhampton around 11.30am today. A 46-year-old man has been charged with one count each of supplying a dangerous drug, possessing a dangerous drug, possess thing and an unlicensed firearm offence. He will appear in the Rockhampton Magistrates Court on September 14.

QLD Police Media Unit

26th Auguest, 2007
Drug arrest, Eudlo: Sunshine Coast detectives executed a warrant at a Highlands Road, Eudlo address on Friday night and allegedly located two cannabis crops growing in the house. The cannabis plants, 138 in total, were mature plants about one metre tall. Equipment used in the production of the plants was also seized. A 21-year-old man has been charged with one count each of trafficking, supply dangerous drug, produce dangerous drug, possess dangerous drug, possess utensil, and possess things used in the connection of drugs. He will appear in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on August 29.

QLD Police Media Release

 

[Splatt]

Four arrested following joint operation by Drug and Region Enforcement Squads
30 August 2007

Four men have been charged overnight and illicit drugs seized following a joint investigation into the large-scale supply of MDMA in south-western Sydney.

Strike Force Humberstone was set up in April this year and comprises officers from the State Crime Command Drug Squad and Bass Hill Region Enforcement Squad.

During the past four months strike force detectives have seized approximately 1100 MDMA (ecstacy) tablets, worth an estimated potential street value of $33,000.

As a result of extensive inquiries, officers arrested a 21-year-old man about 6pm yesterday (Wednesday 29 August) at Moorebank, following a collision with several police vehicles. He was taken to Liverpool Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.

He was then taken to Cabramatta Police Station for questioning.

Strike force officers will allege they located a further 1000 tablets inside the vehicle, worth an estimated potential street value of $30,000.

Search warrants were subsequently executed without incident at residences in Horningsea Park and Chipping Norton, resulting in the arrest of an additional three men.

They were taken to Liverpool and Green Valley police stations for questioning by Strike Force Humberstone detectives.

During the search of the homes police will allege they located additional pills, cocaine, amphetamine, crystal-methylamphetamine (‘Ice’), cannabis, steroids and cash. Three vehicles were also seized by investigators.

• A 21-year-old Chipping Norton man was charged with supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), supply prohibited drug, conspiracy to supply a prohibited drug, and use weapon to avoid arrest.
  
• A second Chipping Norton man, aged 21, was charged with supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), supply prohibited drug, conspiracy to supply a prohibited drug, possess prohibited weapon, possess restricted substances, and possess prohibited drug.
  
• A 21-year-old man from Horningsea Park was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), and knowingly take part in the supply of a prohibited drug.
  
• A 30-year-old Horningsea Park man was charged with supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity).

All four men have been refused bail to appear in Liverpool Local Court today.

NSW Police Media Unit

 

[hoptis]

NSW drug arrests skyrocket
30/08/2007

The latest crime report for New South Wales shows the number of people being caught in possession of cocaine and amphetamines is up by 60 per cent.

The quarterly crime report, released today, shows 359 people were arrested for cocaine possession in the year leading up to June, up by about 150 on the previous year.

The director of the state's Bureau of Crime Statistics, Don Weatherburn, says it is a worry.

"These changes are not just indicative of a crackdown by police, I think they're indicative of a growing problem," he said.

Mr Weatherburn says the jump must reflect more than police getting tougher on drugs.

"We suspect this is indicative of a real growth in the use of these drugs," he said.

"Certainly, the number of admissions to hospitals for amphetamine abuse has gone up.

"On the other hand, there's been something of a drop in the arrests for trafficking, so the use appears to be up and the arrests for dealing appear to be down."

The report also shows a 4 per cent rise in stealing from cars.

The Premier, Morris Iemma, says he takes heart from the latest figures, despite the rise in the number of arrests for drug possession.

Mr Iemma says all the major crime categories have remained stable and that is a credit to the police force.

"In relation to drug figures, they also reflect arrest rates and they reflect the priority that is made to drugs," he said.

Bail breaches

The report says the number of people breaching their bail conditions has risen by nearly 31 per cent in the past two years.

The State Opposition says the figures show the urgent need for an upgrade of bail laws.

The acting shadow attorney-general, Chris Hartcher, says it is a regular occurrence to hear of an offender committing further crimes while out on bail.

"We saw that last week, where a person charged with nine armed robbery offences while out on bail was charged with an attempted murder," he said.

"The bail laws aren't working. The Government isn't enforcing them and the Government isn't making sure that the police can make us safe."

ABC News

 

[Splatt]

Heroin smuggling arrests in Brisbane - Monday, 27th August 2007
Joint media release - Australian Customs and the Australian Federal Police

Customs and Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers have prevented up to $87,000 worth of heroin from reaching the streets following the arrest of a drug courier and his Australian contact in Brisbane over the weekend.

A 29-year-old Nigerian man appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court this morning after attempting to import drugs.

Customs officers stopped the man when he arrived at Brisbane International Airport on a flight from Hong Kong on Saturday, 25 August.

During a search of the man's baggage, officers became suspicious that the man may have been internally concealing drugs.

The man was referred to the AFP and taken to hospital for a medical examination, where he passed 80 cylindrical pellets containing an estimated 250 grams of what is believed to be heroin.

The man has been remanded in custody and will reappear in court at a later date.

The AFP also alleged in court that on Sunday, 26 August a 26-year-old Sydney resident travelled to Brisbane to take possession of the drugs. He was arrested in the Brisbane CBD and was remanded in custody to reappear in the same court tomorrow.

The AFP has charged the alleged courier with importing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug contrary to the Criminal Code Act 1995. The 26-year-old man from Sydney has been charged with attempting to possess the drugs contrary to the Criminal Code Act 1995.

The maximum penalty for both offences is 25-years imprisonment or $550,000.

Cuntstoms Media Release

 

[Splatt]

Heroin import foiled at Sydney airport - Tuesday, 28th August 2007
Joint media release - Australian Customs and the Australian Federal Police

A 29-year-old Cabramatta man is expected to appear in Sydney Central Local
Court today after allegedly attempting to smuggle 300 grams of heroin into
Australia.

The man came to the attention of Customs officers when he arrived at Sydney
International Airport on a flight from Vietnam on Sunday, 26 August. The man
was suspected of internally concealing drugs.

He was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and taken to hospital for
a medical examination. He later passed four pellets weighing a total of 300
grams.

The pellets contained a white powder believed to be heroin. The powder is the
subject of additional forensic examination to determine its purity.

The AFP will charge the man with importing a marketable quantity of a bordercontrolled
drug contrary to the Criminal Code Act 1995.

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

Customs Media Release

 

[Splatt]

Drug arrest, Labrador:
29th August, 2007

A 27-year-old Inala man will face Southport Magistrates Court tomorrow on 14 drug-related charges. It is alleged a man was in possession of methylamphetamine, heroin and a chemical used in amphetamine production when he was intercepted at a service station on Brisbane Road at Labrador around 1pm today.

It is also alleged further searches of an Inala residence located methylamphetamine, ecstasy and a large sum of cash.

QLD Police Media Release

 

[hoptis]

High-rise 'drug lab' found in police raid
September 02, 2007 01:57pm

POLICE have uncovered what they say is a secret drug laboratory in a high-rise flat in Melbourne.

The alleged laboratory was found on the ninth floor of a residential block in Napier Street, in inner-suburban Fitzroy, police said.

Eight people were arrested in a raid on the flat late yesterday, including a Fitzroy woman, 28, and man, 37, as well as a 29-year-old man from Mt Evelyn.

The three have been charged with trafficking a drug of dependence and possessing substances, articles and equipment to make drugs.

The Fitzroy pair are in custody and due to face Melbourne Magistrates Court tomorrow.

The Mt Evelyn man is also in custody and is due to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday, September 7.

A 51-year-old Fitzroy man was charged with possessing heroin and released on bail to appear at the same court on October 24.

The four others arrested at the flat were released pending further inquiries, police said.

Members of the Clandestine Laboratory Squad dismantled the laboratory, police said.

News.com.au

 

[hoptis]

Nine charged in Gippsland drug raid
September 01, 2007 09:10pm

POLICE have charged nine people after a drug raid in Gippsland in eastern Victoria, in which they seized amphetamines and firearms.

Victoria Police's special operations group executed two search warrants this morning at Traralgon properties and arrested nine people.

The raids follow a six-month investigation, police said.

Police seized amphetamines as well as two vehicles worth $40,000, firearms, extendable batons, taser guns and martial arts weapons.

Jamie Musson, 20, and Jeffery McDonald, 20, both of Traralgon, appeared in an out-of-sessions hearing today and were charged with trafficking amphetamines, methylamphetamines, ecstasy, possessing firearms, illegal weapons and possessing proceeds of crime.

The two men have been remanded in custody to appear in the La Trobe Magistrates Court on Monday morning.

One woman and six men, from Traralgon, were also charged with drug trafficking and were bailed to appear in the La Trobe Magistrates Court on October 9.

News.com.au

 

[hoptis]

Weapons, drugs seized in police raids
September 01, 2007 10:42am

A TASER gun is among a cache of illegal weapons and drugs seized during police raids on several properties in Victoria's southeast.

Nine people were arrested and were being questioned by detectives after raids on several houses at Traralgon, 162 kilometres south-east of Melbourne, late yesterday, police said.

The taser gun - similar to those used by police which deliver an electric shock - and other illegal firearms were seized in the raids, Victoria Police said.

Cash, along with an undisclosed quantity of the drugs ecstasy and ice, were also found during the operation.

The raids follow a five-month police investigation.

No further details were available at this stage, police said.

News.com.au

 

[lil angel15]

Dirty nappies 'used to smuggle drugs'
August 27, 2007 11:12am

A MAN allegedly used dirty nappies to smuggle drugs into a southeast Arnhem Land community.

A 45-year-old man in a four-wheel-drive was stopped shortly before midnight last Friday, east of Roper Bar Crossing at the dry Aboriginal community of Ngukurr, police said.

A search of his vehicle turned up six bottles of beer, six cans of rum and cola, a bottle of rum and one can of beer.

Three clip seal bags of cannabis, totalling 73.6g, were also found inside a bag of soiled nappies, police said.

The man was charged with bringing liquor into a restricted area, possessing a trafficable quantity of cannabis, driving unregistered and uninsured and drive while unlicensed.

He was bailed to appear in the Ngukurr Court on October 9.

Remote Northern Territory councils have complained of an increase in the black market trade of drugs and alcohol following the Federal Government's decision to ban the intoxicating drink kava.

First introduced to Aboriginal communities in the 1980s as an alternative to alcohol, kava was officially outlawed as part of the Government's intervention to combat child sexual abuse.

news.com.au

 

[Splatt]

NEWS: SMH -- Man tries to stab cop during drug raid

[EDIT: Post merged. hoptis]

Man tries to stab cop during drug raid
September 5, 2007 - 2:56PM

A man caught with drugs during a raid at a Brisbane unit tried to repeatedly stab a police officer, a court has been told.

Gregory Colin Maddox, 50, pleaded not guilty in the Brisbane Supreme Court to the attempted murder of Senior Constable Marc (MARC) Drury on August 8, 2006.

However, he pleaded guilty to the lesser alternative charge of assault occasioning bodily harm while armed.

He also pleaded guilty to several other charges including serious assault and possessing a dangerous drug.

The court was told Snr Const Drury and his partner had gone to Maddox's apartment at Kangaroo Point, and had been let in by another man after identifying themselves.

When the police entered the apartment they saw the accused sitting at a table cutting up a white powdery substance, alleged to be amphetamine, with a metal object.

The court was told when Snr Const Drury informed the men in the apartment that they were under arrest, an angry Maddox jumped up, grabbed a knife and lunged at him.

The court was told he swung the knife three times, narrowly missing Snr Const Drury's neck and body.

Snr Const Drury tried to aim his gun at Maddox but was allegedly obstructed by another man in the apartment.

The court was told Snr Const Drury repeatedly told Maddox to drop the knife, but Maddox allegedly refused, saying "I will kill you first".

The court was told the police officers retreated and as they tried to shut the door of the apartment, Maddox allegedly lunged forward again, slicing Snr Const Drury on the arm.

Maddox's defence team have suggested there was no intent to kill the officer, but that Maddox was simply trying to get police to leave the unit.

Maddox then allegedly escaped through the window, but was detained on the ground by another police officer.

The court was told he was abusive, spitting and biting at police, and had to be subdued with capsicum spray.

Police found three tabs of LSD and 0.2 grams of heroin on Maddox when they arrested him.

The trial continues.

SMH


What about the "amphetamine?" Was he simply trying to cut up a line or two of some H. and three tabs of LSD, thats the amount or under to go to drug court, but he wwas violent and probably has a history to be raided like that.

 

[Splatt]

Wave of cigarette smuggling foiled
Wednesday, 5th September 2007

Customs officers in Sydney have foiled more large-scale attempts to smuggle cigarettes and tobacco into the country.

The illegal importations, over the last three weeks, were unsuccessful bids to try to evade Australian duty and tax on the products.

In one of the latest interceptions, on 23 August, Customs officers found more than 595,000 cigarettes concealed within 125 wooden table tops which had arrived in a sea cargo container at Port Botany from South Korea. The cigarettes were located after an x-ray of the consignment showed up anomalies in the table tops' structures. The duty payable on this quantity of cigarettes would have amounted to over $142,000.

In another detection, on 20 August, Customs officers found 3,150,000 cigarettes when they xrayed a container from the United Arab Emirates whose contents had been declared as being biscuits, fruit juices and water. The duty payable would have amounted to over $756,000.

Other recent finds have included, on 28 August, 12 tonnes of smuggled manufactured tobacco from the Philippines, upon which nearly $4 million in duty was payable.

Customs acting National Manager Investigations Doug Nicoll said investigations were continuing into these cases. "Customs revenue is important in providing government services for all Australians so those who attempt to smuggle goods and flout Australian law risk forfeiture of their goods and the prospect of facing charges in court."

Under the Customs Act, penalties of up to five times the amount of duty payable can be imposed on those who are convicted of smuggling, conveying or possessing smuggled goods or evading the payment of duty.

Since January this year, Customs in Sydney has intercepted 33,500,000 smuggled cigarettes, with the amount of duty and tax payable amounting to more than $8 million.

Customs Media Release

 

[Splatt]

Man Charged after pursuit with Police - Tweed / Byron:
5th September 2007

A man will face court today following a pursuit at Byron Bay last night

About 8pm last night (Tuesday 4) police from Byron Bay Highway Patrol were carrying out radar duties when they detected a green Mitsubishi Magna travelling at an alleged speed of 73km/h in a 50km/h zone on Bangalow Road.

Police activated lights and sirens attempting to stop the Magna, however, the vehicle accelerated away from police.

Police followed the vehicle for a distance through Byron Bay and surrounding suburbs, before it lost control and rolled several times into an embankment on the Pacific Highway at Bangalow.

The driver of the vehicle, a 31-year-old Nimbin man, was arrested at the scene, while a quantity of cash and a prohibited drug – believed to be cannabis – was allegedly seized from the vehicle.

The man was taken under police guard to Byron Bay Hospital and treated for minor leg injuries, before being conveyed to Byron Bay police station.

He was charged with supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, two counts of goods in custody, driving in a manner dangerous and unlicensed driver.

The man was conditionally bailed to appear before Byron Bay Local Court on 5 October.

NSW Police News


*Puts on the old Media Watch guy's voice and lifts an eyebrow*
This sounds amazingly similar as an accident that occured earlier this week, and released on on the QLD Police Media website. A bit too much of a co-ioncidence? Check out for yourself.

Man arrested drug and traffic charges, Woodridge:

Police charged a 36-year-old Albion man with drug and traffic offences following a short pursuit at Woodridge last night. Around 11.50pm a police dog squad unit was conducting patrols in the Woodridge area when its attention was drawn to a sedan. Police attempted to intercept the vehicle however the car allegedly sped away. The car drove through several local streets before turning into a cul-de-sac where the driver allegedly jumped out of the moving vehicle. The car crashed into the front fence of a property in Minoa Street before coming to rest. The male driver and sole occupant of the car was located a short time later in local parkland. The man has been charged with one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, possession of a dangerous drug, possession of anything used in the commission of a crime, driving unlicenced, obstructing police, and three drugs charges. He is due to appear in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court today.

QLD Police Media Unit

 

[Splatt]

And even another... Getting very suspiciously similar ;-)


man charged with drug and firearms offences - Hawkesbury
6th September 2007

A man is due to face court today after he was arrested allegedly in possession of a firearm and prohibited drugs.

About 5.30pm police from Hawkesbury Local Area Command were patrolling Pitt Street at Hobartville
when a man – known to local police as an unlicensed driver – was seen driving in a green Ford Falcon.

Police activated light and sirens and attempted to stop the vehicle, however, the driver allegedly accelerated from police into Bowman Street, before the driver stopped and ran into a unit block.

A short time later police arrested a 26-year-old North Richmond man.

A search of the Falcon allegedly uncovered a loaded .22 calibre pistol, a quantity of prohibited drugs believed to speed, ecstasy and cannabis, as well as a sum of cash.

The man was taken to Windsor Police Station and charged with possess and supply a prohibited drug, possess unauthorised and unregistered firearm, possess loaded firearm in a public place, goods in custody and being an unlicensed driver.

He was bail refused and is expected to appear at Parramatta Local Court today.

NSW Police Media Unit

 

[Splatt]

NEWS: Sleeping judge convictions upheld -- 5th Sep, 07

[EDIT: Threads merged. hoptis]

Sleeping judge convictions upheld

By Margaret Scheikowski
September 05, 2007 07:16pm
Article from: AAP

TWO men who claimed their drugs trial was unfair because the judge fell asleep from time to time have lost an appeal against their convictions.

In a majority decision today, the New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal said the mere fact the judge had fallen asleep did not mean the trial had been unfair or that there had been a miscarriage of justice.

Justices Michael Grove and Roderick Howie said the men's lawyers had not identified anything which would have been different if the judge had been "bright-eyed" throughout the entire trial.

But the dissenting judge, Justice John Basten, concluded the convictions should be overturned.

He said there was a real possibility the judge's conduct adversely affected the District Court jury's performance of its function.

Rafael Luis Cesan and Ruben Mas Rivadavia were each found guilty in June 2004 of conspiring to import a commercial quantity of ecstasy.

Judge Ian Dodd, who suffered from sleep apnoea and who retired in July 2005, presided over their trial.

Cesan was jailed for 13 years and six months, while Mas Rivadavis received an 11-year sentence.

The appeal court heard evidence from people who were at the trial, including one man who said he saw jurors "smiling, rolling their eyes and laughing" at times when the judge was asleep.

"I find the probability to be that, from time to time, the judge was 'nodding off' and on other occasions, notably when he was heard to snore, was asleep in a real and practical sense," Justice Grove said.

He said the judge woke up either "by the operation of his own body mechanisms" or by the "provocation" of someone creating a noise by clearing their throat or moving a book.

"That a judge must be constantly attentive is not a fundamental requirement," Justice Grove said, although he added the sleeping was "regrettable".

Intervention by the appeal court was only justified if it could be shown the sleeping resulted in error or deprived the accused of a fair trial in some respect.

But he said the men's lawyers had not pointed to any adverse effect on the trial itself that was a result of the sleeping.

He noted the jury was given full and fair directions and there was compelling evidence sustaining the verdicts.

In dissenting, Justice Basten accepted that Cesan became "distracted" when the judge snored while he was giving evidence.

He concluded that a judge was required to be "present and conscious" during the whole of a trial before a jury, except for insignificant or momentary absence or sleep.

"Further, I am satisfied that the periods during which the judge was asleep could not be dismissed as insignificant for the conduct of the trial," he said.

News.Com.AU

 

[hoptis]

Chase ends in drugs, gun find
Posted Thu Sep 6, 2007 8:00am AEST

Sydney police say they found a loaded pistol, drugs and cash inside the car of an unlicensed North Richmond man after a chase yesterday afternoon.

They say they tried to pull over the man driving at Hobartville, who they knew was unlicensed, but he refused to stop.

Police say the 26-year-old drove away from Pitt Street into Bowman Street, where he stopped and ran into a unit block.

They arrested him a short time later.

Police say a search of his car found a loaded .22 calibre pistol, drugs believed to speed, ecstasy and cannabis and cash.

The man will face Parramatta Local Court today on drugs, arms and driving charges.

ABC News

 

[hoptis]

Charges laid after tri-state drugs operation
Posted Thu Sep 6, 2007 7:30am AEST

A year-long police operation involving officers from three states has led to the arrests of two men on drugs charges.

Officers from the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia were involved in the operation intended to clear Indigenous communities of illicit drugs.

The men aged 38 and 37 have been charged with a variety of offences including selling cannabis.

They will face Marla Magistrates Court in October.

Operations in the cross-border areas are continuing and more arrests are expected.

ABC News

 

[Splatt]

Ex-cop jailed over ecstasy drug haul
8th Sep, 07

A FORMER Australian soldier and police officer jailed yesterday for helping import more than 2000 ecstasy tablets to the Gold Coast claimed he believed the drugs were steroids.


John James Boyd pleaded guilty last week in the Supreme Court in Brisbane, one week ahead of his trial, and was sentenced yesterday to seven years' jail with a non-parole period of two years and 10 months by Justice Ann Lyons.

Boyd admitted to possessing the imported drugs, which had an estimated street value of $80,000, but yesterday the 32-year-old Mt Gravatt man maintained his ignorance of the type of drugs he was helping to import.

The court was told Boyd was heavily addicted to steroids and became involved in the importing of a package from British Columbia in Canada because he owed his supplier money.

His barrister Malcolm Harrison said his client believed the drugs were steroids, not ecstasy.

"He presumed the package contained steroids," he said.

Boyd was arrested in 2005 and Mr Harrison said Boyd had received threats not to give information to police.

When asked if he had anything to say before being sentenced, Boyd said he was sorry for his tragic recklessness.

"I am incredibly sorry for my family. For the last two years I've beaten myself up about this, I was stuck between a pretty big rock and a hard place," he said.

"I am sorry, people do make mistakes and I intend to learn from this."

Boyd initially denied knowledge of the drugs when he was arrested. He told police he was returning the package to Australia Post as it did not belong to him.

DPP Crown prosecutor Glen Rice said the package was sent from Canada to an address at Mermaid Beach but was intercepted by Qantas mail in Sydney.

The package claimed to contain 'toys and Halloween costumes' but once opened the airport staff discovered 2024 ecstasy tablets, wrapped in a smaller package using birthday gift paper.

Federal Police transferred the package to Brisbane and the drugs were substituted for plain tablets before the box was carefully repackaged and sent to Mermaid Beach on November 2, 2005.

The court was told a federal officer delivered the package and police waited outside the home while a co-accused in the matter accepted the parcel.

Within 15 minutes Boyd emerged from the house with the parcel and was pulled over by police soon after.

Mr Rice said police investigations revealed Boyd had sent a total of $16,080 to Canadian bank accounts and had also called the postal service using his mobile phone to check on the package.

"He was at the premises when it arrived, he was plainly taking it somewhere in the next step of the plan," he said.

"Boyd was significantly involved in this import as the arranger, forwarder of funds and collector."

Gold Coast Bulletin


Sounds like he was a bit of a rookie.

 

[Splatt]

Drug trafficking arrests Woodstock
7th September, 2007

As a result of ongoing investigations detectives from the Northern Regional Drug Squad have arrested three men with a number of serious drug offences.

Investigators intercepted two men on the Flinders Highway early this morning and a search of a four wheel drive allegedly revealed nearly seven kilograms of cannabis sativa.

The men were arrested and subsequent searches of their homes allegedly revealed a further 13 kilograms of cannabis and a rifle at a Woodstock property.

Detectives located another man at the property who they allege had a further 2.5 kilograms of cannabis in his possession.

Police also searched a Mundingburra address where they seized property including cash, gold and documents.

A 38-year-old Mundingburra man will appear in the Townsville Magistrates Court on September 21 charged with trafficking, supplying a dangerous drug, possession of a dangerous drug in excess of the schedule amount and possession of items used.

A 39-year-old Majors Creek man will appear in the Townsville Magistrates Court on September 25 charged with trafficking, supplying a dangerous drug, possession of a dangerous drug in excess of the schedule amount, producing a dangerous drug, possession of instructions and possession of utensils.

The third man, a 51-year-old from Majors Creek has been charged with possession of a dangerous drug in excess of the schedule amount, producing and supplying a dangerous drug, possession of items used and possession of utensils. He will appear on September 25.

A fourth man, a 33-year-old Majors Creek man was issued with a Notice to Appear in the Townsville Magistrates Court on September 24 to face a charge of possession of a dangerous drug

QLD Police Media Unit