The Australian/NZ Drug Busts Mega-Thread Part Triforce

[poledriver]

Man charged after cannabis seized – Bulli

A man has been charged after police discovered a cannabis plantation at a home in Bulli yesterday.

About 2.50pm (11 May), police went to the home in Hutton Avenue acting on information cannabis was being grown in and around the home.

A 25-year-old man let police inside where they allegedly saw an amount of cannabis in the kitchen and a plant growing in the backyard.

Police executed a search warrant at the house and will allege they located an indoor hydroponic cannabis plantation in a bedroom.

They seized three cannabis plants, seedlings and equipment relating to the alleged hydroponic set-up, including fertilisers and electrical equipment.

The 25-year-old Bulli man was charged with enhanced cultivation of a prohibited plant and possessing a prohibited drug.

He was granted bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday 8 June 2011.

here

 

[poledriver]

Dollar surge behind Sydney '$50m heroin' bust: police

A major heroin bust on Sydney's docks is more proof that international drug rings are targeting Australia because of the surge in the Australian dollar, the Australian Federal Police says.
Commander Brian McDonald, the federal police's Sydney office manager, pointed out the increased attraction of Australia's illegal drug market after officers captured the largest heroin haul in almost a decade.
Customs officers working at Port Botany were tipped off about a suspicious shipment from Malaysia this month and allegedly uncovered 42 kilograms of heroin hidden inside several pieces of household furniture.
Advertisement: Story continues below
Two Malaysian nationals were arrested early today and charged with importing the heroin, which has a street value of nearly $50 million.
"At the moment, because of the strength of the Australian dollar, this is a very lucrative market for illicit drugs in Australia," Mr McDonald told reporters in Sydney.
"I think it's been identified that at the moment Australia is a very lucrative market for cocaine ...
"We are working very closely with our partners about some international organisations that are now targeting Australia that had not done so in the past."
But he said joint operations by the federal police and Customs at ports across the nation meant drug dealers were playing a dangerous game with Australian authorities.
"There is significant work being done at the ports, and it's a lottery for people [importing drugs]," Mr McDonald said.
"If they want to undertake this type of activity, they're the ones who have got to be alert as to whether we're gonna go knocking on their door or not."
The latest bust follows a series of major stings carried out by Australian authorities. A 38-year-old Chester Hill man was charged last week with importing 27 kilograms of heroin.
The heroin found at Port Botany had been concealed in a "sophisticated" manner, said Catherine Asbridge, Customs and Border Protection national manager air cargo and detained goods.
"This is the largest seizure we've had for some time," she told reporters in Sydney today.
"Most of the seizures over the last decade have been smaller quantities ...
"The last large seizure was actually in 2002, and that was 367 kilos."
Mr McDonald said the federal police hoped further arrests would follow, but he stressed the heroin trade had been dealt a significant blow by the recent joint operation.
The two Malaysians, aged 30 and 34, will face Central Local Court today and could face life imprisonment if found guilty.

here

 

[poledriver]

Media Release: Drug trafficking syndicate smashed in Adelaide

Federal authorities have shut down an Adelaide-based crime syndicate, which allegedly used stuffed toys, cushions and nappies to import large quantities of pseudoephedrine and methamphetamines into South Australia.
Two men and one woman will face Adelaide Magistrates Court tomorrow.

The joint AFP and Customs and Border Protection investigation began on 21 March, when Customs and Border Protection officers in Adelaide examined cargo from Hong Kong and found 126 grams of crystal methamphetamine secreted within a stuffed toy, concealed among other clothing.

On 29 March and 1 April, further amounts of crystal methamphetamine (158 grams and 180 grams) were found to be concealed within stuffed toys arriving in Adelaide.

On 5 April 2011, Customs officers found a further two packages, containing a total of 7.2 kilograms of pseudoephedrine concealed in cushions.

On 11 April, two consignments each containing 100 grams of crystal methamphetamine were found in the lining of nappies.
It will be alleged in court that in addition to importing multiple packages to various destinations in Adelaide, the syndicate also made multiple international money transfers to various destinations in China.

AFP Adelaide Office Manager Mick Duthie said the operation had disrupted a complex and sophisticated criminal syndicate.

“Despite efforts by criminal networks to evade detection, authorities are continuing to identify and disrupt the syndicates who attempt to flout Australian law,” he said.

“The AFP will continue to work collaboratively with Customs and Border Protection to stop these harmful drugs from reaching the streets of Adelaide and affecting our neighbourhoods and communities.”

Customs and Border Protection Regional Director for South Australia, Helen Bulis said the operation was a successful example of border protection authorities disrupting the flow of drugs into Australia.

“Customs is continuing to adapt its technology to the evolving methods used by drug importation syndicates, in order to intelligently identify suspect packages.”

Search warrants were executed by AFP officers on 8 April at two residences in Renown Park and at a residence in Fullarton on 11 April.

Various items were seized including $14,150 in cash, SIM cards, documents, fake Chinese and Australian identification, stuffed toys with their contents removed, drugs paraphernalia including scales, deal bags, and containers containing residual trace elements of methamphetamines.

Two Renown Park men, aged 28 and 36, were arrested and charged on 8 April with the importation of a marketable quantity of border controlled drugs and precursors, contrary to 307.2(1) and 307.11 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

On 12 April, a 20-year-old Fullarton woman was arrested and charged with the same offence.

It will be alleged that the 36-year-old man directed the importation of the packages and the 28-year old man was involved in facilitating the importations. The woman allegedly actively collected consignments on behalf of the 36-year-old man.
The maximum penalty for importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled precursor is 25 years imprisonment and/or a $550,000 fine.

http://www.afp.gov.au/media-centre/...rafficking-syndicate-smashed-in-adelaide.aspx

here

 

[poledriver]

[NZ] Casino loan shark faces P charges

A high-roller gambler exposed as a loan shark in the country's biggest casino is facing drugs charges.

The high-interest loans to desperate gamblers - with passports or cars as collateral - were uncovered by a TVNZ sting, which led to SkyCity banning the VIP gambler.

His identity can now be revealed as Guo Pei Chen, 39, also known as Ah Pui. He appeared in the Auckland District Court this week to face charges of possession of methamphetamine for supply.

Police allegedly found 11 grams of the class-A drug in an apartment in the Duxton Hotel where he lives in downtown Auckland.

An undercover TV investigation in 2007 exposed Chen as a loan shark who spent much of his time gambling inside the VIP lounge at SkyCity casino.

He was secretly recorded agreeing to lend $2000 to a young Chinese student pretending to need cash to gamble - with a weekly interest rate of $70 for every $1000 borrowed.

Chen was taped asking for the Chinese woman's passport as security for the loan, or to sign over ownership of her car.

Chen was then banned from the casino, which has to report any suspicions of loan sharking to the Department of Internal Affairs.

here

 

[poledriver]

[NZ] Woman who smuggled drugs into prison jailed

A woman who thought it was a lark to smuggle drugs to mates in jail today found herself behind prison bars.

Nikita McCausland, 22, was sentenced in Christchurch District Court to two years imprisonment for supplying methamphetamine, ecstasy, and a class C drug inside a cigarette packet to an inmate at the Christchurch Women's Prison.

She also also admitted reckless driving, driving while forbidden, and failing to stop charges.

McCausland said she took the drugs into prison because that was what friends did for each other, and because women in the prison got nothing, unlike the male inmates in a prison nearby.

Defence counsel Tim Fournier said McCausland, who was on parole and bail, did not do it for financial gain, more for a misguided sense of loyalty.

He said she had a substantial list of previous convictions, and a poor record of compliance with court orders.

Her life had unravelled in a significant way, but she thought it was a lark helping out her mates in jail, he said.


Judge Stephen Erber said McCausland received a telephone call from someone in prison. She hid the drugs in a cigarette packet, and a person doing garden duties uplifted it.

McCausland had a serious drug problem and had been using methamphetamine since she was 14. She was assessed as a high risk of reoffending and not suitable for home detention, he said.

Her criminal activity started in the Youth Court, and then from 2006 she had frequently appeared in the District Court, and had had more than one term in prison.

He said supplying a class A drug to a prison inmate had three problems. There was a difficulty managing prisoners who had taken drugs, there was a problem of standover -- where one inmate had drugs and another wanted them -- and, the drugs could be used by inmates on drug prevention programmes.

He sentenced her to two years' prison with a release condition that she participate in a drug assessment programme as directed by probation.

here

 

[poledriver]

Students warned of 'cash for carry' schemes

University students are being reminded to be vigilant and avoid being unknowingly caught up in criminal activity.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is warning the public about criminal syndicates that ask students to pick up packages from designated collection points. The one-off jobs are advertised on online forums offering cash payments for the collection service.
Superintendent Steve Mullins said the packages will often contain drugs or other illegal substances.

“It is a tactic that’s becoming more and more prevalent, and enables these criminals to keep their distance from the operation and use others as their unsuspecting drug mules,” he said.

“We are asking to people to be proactive and avoid being unwittingly involved in these criminal operations.

“These jobs often target vulnerable tertiary students, particularly international students. People need to be aware of these activities as even being inadvertently involved can have very serious consequences.

“Charges and penalties for possessing these border controlled drugs are significant and can include fines and/or prison time.

“The bottom line is when these opportunities appear to be too good to be true, that’s exactly what they are.”

here

 

[poledriver]

OMCG associate to face court on alleged drug and firearms offences

Strike Force Raptor officers have charged an alleged Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG) associate with drug and firearms offences following a search warrant last night.

About 9.10pm (14 May), Strike Force Raptor executed a search warrant at a house in Criterion Crescent, Doonside. It will be alleged that during the search, police located:

• two loaded firearms;
• a telescopic rifle sight;
• a functioning hydroponic cultivation system;
• drugs, including cannabis and prescription medicines.

Police subsequently arrested a 46-year-old man, who is alleged to be an associate of a number of OMCGs, including Bandidos, Finks, Hells Angels and Notorious.

The man was later charged with two counts of possess unauthorised firearm; two counts of possess unregistered firearm; two counts of not keep firearm safe; possess ammunition; three counts of possess prohibited drug; and possess equipment for administering prohibited drugs.

He was granted conditional bail to appear at Blacktown Local Court on 16 June 2011.

Strike Force Raptor was established by the State Crime Command’s Gangs Squad and is a proactive and high-impact operation targeting outlaw motorcycle gangs and their alleged associated criminal enterprises.

here

 

[poledriver]

Two charged with drug supply – Fairfield

A man and woman are expected to appear in court today after they were arrested and charged with supplying drugs in the Fairfield area.

Strike Force Holcroft 2, comprises officers attached to the Wetherill Park Region Enforcement Squad was formed to investigate the supply of heroin in the South West Metropolitan Region.

Following a lengthy investigation by the officers attached to the strike force, police this morning arrested a man and woman about 10.20am at a house in Villawood.

The pair were taken to Fairfield Police Station where they were interviewed and charged.

The 28-year-old man was charged with ongoing drug supply and four charges of supply prohibited drug.

The 54-year-old woman was charged with supply prohibited drug and knowingly take part in the supply of prohibited drug.

They were refused bail and are expected to appear in Fairfield local Court later today.

here

 

[poledriver]

Shire boss shrugs off drugs 'tag'

The president of the Carnarvon Shire has defended his community after a police operation exposed a thriving drug trade in the seaside town.

Police seized heroin, cannabis, methylamphetamine and prescription drugs with a street value of more than $500,000, during a 10-week operation in Carnarvon.

Sixty people were charged with drug and other offences.

Almost half of those arrested were charged with intent to sell or supply drugs.

The Carnarvon Shire president, Dudley Maslen, says he is shocked by the results but believes Carnarvon is still a safe place to live and visit.

"I'm confident in the depth of the community in Carnarvon," he said.

"As far as we're concerned it's still a safe, good place to live and a good place to visit.

"It's just a pity that this particular tag's been put onto us and then re-enforced again."

here

 

[poledriver]

Man charged with drug supply – Bondi Beach

Police have arrested and charged a man following a search of a unit yesterday.

About 2pm (Tuesday 17 May 2011), police arrested a man outside a unit on Roscoe Street, Bondi Beach, following alleged drug activity.

A subsequent search of the man’s unit allegedly revealed a large quantity of green vegetable matter and drug paraphernalia.

The green vegetable matter, believed to be cannabis, weighed a total of 59.4 grams.

A 35-year-old man was later charged with supplying a prohibited drug.

He’s been refused bail to appear in Waverley Local Court today (Wednesday 18 May).

here

 

[poledriver]

Drug lab located Southport

A 43-year-old man from Southport is assisting police with enquiries following the alleged discovery of a drug lab at Southport this morning.

Around 6.30am police executed a search warrant on a unit at North Street where it is alleged three men were inside.

The men immediately fled the unit before police located one of the men nearby.

Police are presently making enquiries to locate the other two men.

Members of the Illicit Laboratory Investigation Team attended and safely dismantled the lab.

On the advice of Queensland Fire and Rescue officers surrounding units were evacuated for a short time due to safety concerns.

Police investigations are continuing.

here

 

[poledriver]

Adam Freeman, son of George, on the run after drug seizure

A GLOBAL arrest warrant has been issued for Adam Freeman, Sydney nightclub owner and now international fugitive.

Police claim the son of underworld figure George Freeman fled Australia hours after 19.5kg of ecstasy was found in a van linked to childhood friend and business partner Andrew Moss.

Police allege Freeman's fingerprints were found on glassware used to make the drugs in the van.

The arrest warrant was granted in the past few weeks after police established they had solid evidence linking Freeman - who part-owns Kings Cross nightclub Lady Lux with his brother David - to the drugs.

A police statement tendered to Sutherland Local Court alleged Freeman is linked to a number of co-accused charged with manufacture of the ecstasy haul, one of the largest in NSW.

Police said Moss and Michael Haynes, 27, both of Cronulla, were driving a rented van near Tamworth on December 15 when they were stopped for a random breath test.

Police officers allegedly saw drug manufacturing equipment in the van, impounded it and arrested the two men.

The next morning they were granted bail after being charged with possessing drug-making apparatus. It is alleged Moss went straight to Tamworth airport, caught a flight to Sydney and met with Freeman and another man, Blake Geoffrey Ellis. "Following this meeting, Ellis and Freeman purchased open tickets to Hong Kong, paying cash," police alleged.

"At the time neither Ellis nor Freeman had any luggage and immediately departed for Hong Kong to avoid apprehension. Records indicate both Ellis and Freeman then flew to Bangkok, Thailand."

That same day, a search of the impounded van allegedly uncovered numerous vacuum-sealed bags of powder hidden in buckets of sand in the back of the vehicle.

After the 19.5kg of MDA was found, police swooped and re-arrested Haynes at Tamworth airport before he boarded a flight to Sydney.

Days later, Moss was also arrested, questioned and charged in relation to the manufacturing of the MDA.

Neither have entered pleas or co-operated with police.

Ellis returned to Australia and was arrested on May 6 at Cronulla.

He was charged with the manufacture of MDA, refused bail and ordered to appear at Central Local Court on July 5.

It is alleged Freeman's fingerprints were on a toaster and kettle found at a clandestine lab, where police allege the drug was manufactured.

here

 

[poledriver]

SA bid to bankrupt drug traffickers

The South Australian Government will legislate in a bid to ensure convicted drug traffickers become bankrupt.

Under proposed amendments, it plans to confiscate the assets of major or repeat drug offenders.

SA Attorney-General John Rau says criminal gangs typically use the proceeds of drug trafficking to live lavish lifestyles and he wants to end this criminal cycle.

"People involved in these drug trafficking activities often have legitimate businesses as a sideline as a way to wash money in a way that appears to make it legitimate. Those businesses will go," he said.

"Many of these people have properties that are held in a way that makes it difficult to prove those properties are any thing to do with illicit drug trading; those properties will go.

"We would act to strip drug traffickers and people involved in the drug trade of all their assets, not just the assets that we can clearly identify as being a part of the proceeds of crime and that is a big difference from the existing legislation."

here

 

[poledriver]

Police net drug haul in Kununurra

Police in the Kimberley town of Kununurra have seized more than 15 kgs of cannabis with a street value of nearly $400,000.

Police say they found the drugs in vacuum-sealed bags hidden around the fuel tank of a utility vehicle.

Detective Sergeant Manus Walsh says police swooped on the car which was parked at the Ord Roadhouse, after receiving a tip-off.

"We received some information which caused us to specifically target a vehicle as it came over to Western Australia yesterday," he said.

"If anyone's got any information that can assist us with locating any drugs it would be greatly appreciated, as it obviously stops the drugs getting out on the street which is a big problem for everyone."

A 63 year-old man from South Australia has been charged with possession of a prohibited drug with intent to sell or supply.

He is due to appear in the Kununurra Magistrates Court today.

here

 

[poledriver]

$400k cannabis bust in Sydney's south-west

Police have charged a man over the discovery of nearly $400,000 worth of cannabis in Sydney's south-west.

Officers from the state's Asian crime squad arrested the 39-year-old at an alleged drug house at Bonnyrigg about 2:00pm (AEST) yesterday.

Police say the man had been growing commercial quantities of cannabis at two houses in the suburb.

They allegedly seized 143 cannabis plants and drug related paraphernalia during searches of the properties, with an estimated street value of $382,000.

The man faces numerous charges including cultivating a commercial quantity of a prohibited plant and stealing electricity.

He was kept in custody overnight to face court today.

here

 

[poledriver]

Newcastle businesswoman arrested for drug supply

Police expect to charge a 57-year-old Newcastle woman with more than 70 drug supply charges after she was arrested this afternoon.

It is alleged the local businesswoman supplied heroin to a large number of people in the city on nearly a daily basis.

Two Cessnock and three Newcastle premises were simultaneously raided by police this afternoon.

Central Hunter Local Area Commander, Acting Superintendent Brett Greentree says the woman has been under surveillance for the last four months.

"We anticipate charges will be laid," he said.

"Police will be alleging that this lady has sold heroin in excess of 70 occasions.

"As a result of this arrest, another 29-year-old female was also arrested in King Street and is currently in custody."

Acting Superintendent Greentree says the arrest is the first for detectives from Strike Force Hendine, set up to examine heroin distribution in the area.

"We're alleging this lady is not your stereotypical drug dealer," he said.

"It just goes to show that people from all walks of life are certainly involved in the illicit drug trade and our job is to do our best to arrest them and out before the Courts."

here

 

[poledriver]

Police charge two over drug detection – Dee Why

Police from Northern Beaches have charged two men after discovering cannabis in a home at Dee Why yesterday.

About 4.30pm (18 May 2011), police executed a search warrant at a unit on Lismore Road.

Inside the unit, police allegedly located an amount of green vegetable matter within a bedroom.

A further search of the premises revealed 16 cannabis plants some reaching up to a metre in height.

The green vegetable matter, which is believed to be cannabis, and the plants were seized by police.

Two men, aged 45 and 36 were arrested at the scene and taken to Dee Why Police Station.

They were both charged with cultivating a prohibited plant and possession of a prohibited drug.

The men were given conditional bail to appear at Manly Local Court on 16 June 2011.

here

 

[poledriver]

wo men arrested following drug operation in Deniliquin and Coffs

Two men have been arrested this morning following a drug operation in the township of Finley, near Deniliquin in the State’s south-west.

At 10.30am Deniliquin LAC officers arrested a 35-year-old Finley man at an industrial workplace a 42-year-old Finley man at a rural property.

Officers executed three simultaneous search warrants, including at a commercial premises in the town centre, seizing at quantity of drugs and cash.

It is alleged both men were involved in the ongoing distribution of amphetamines.

The two men have been taken to Deniliquin Police Station where they are expected to be charged with drug offences, including ongoing supply and conspiracy to supply prohibited drugs.

The arrests are the culmination of Operation Isabelle, a year-long investigation by the Deniliquin Criminal Investigations Unit into the use and distribution of amphetamines in Finley.

Deniliquin Local Area Commander Superintendent Michael O’Toole said police launched Operation Isabelle following information from the public.

“This was a significant drug investigation targeting persons allegedly involved in using and selling amphetamines,” Supt O’Toole said.

“Assistance from the community has proven invaluable in this investigation which has run for the past 12 months.

“I have no doubt the effect of this operation will be significant in a community as small as Finley.

“Those engaged in the drug trade face significant gaol sentences if convicted. To that end I remind the community that police will continue all efforts to identify and bring to justice persons involved in drug dealing.”

This is third significant drug operation conducted by police across NSW in the past 24 hours.

A 57-year old Newcastle woman was arrested yesterday for alleged heroin supply and has been charged with 68 offences.

And in Coffs Harbour, in the State’s north, three men were arrested this morning over the supply of methylamphetamine and large scale cultivation and supply of cannabis.

here

 

[poledriver]

Three arrested and drugs seized in north coast search warrants – Strike Force Tirto

Three men are in custody this morning after drugs were seized during search warrants executed on the state’s north coast.

In September 2010, Strike Force Tirto was initiated by Coffs Harbour Detectives to investigate the supply of methylamphetamine, along with the large scale cultivation and supply of cannabis. The investigation also involved personnel from the State Crime Command’s Chemical Operations Unit.

As a result of the investigation, police today executed search warrants at rural properties at Gordonville and Gleniffer, south-west of Coffs Harbour, as well as a residence in Belmont, near Newcastle.

Three men were arrested at the Gordonville and Gleniffer addresses and conveyed to Coffs Harbour Police Station.

Police will be alleging two of the men have been involved in the supply of methylamphetamine, while the third man has been involved in the cultivation and supply of cannabis.

The investigation has led to the seizure of a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine, an indictable quantity of cannabis as well as the seizure of 175 mature cannabis plants from the Clouds Creek National Park, west of Coffs Harbour on 1 April, 2011.

During today's search, police located a quantity of hydroponically grown cannabis. The search warrants are continuing.

here

 

[poledriver]

Drug lab located Beerwah

Police have located a clandestine laboratory in a townhouse on Swan Street in Beerwah last night.

Investigations led police to the townhouse at around 9.45 where an operating clandestine drug laboratory was located.

A number of residences around the area were evacuated as a safety precaution while the lab was dismantled.

A 35-year-old Beerwah man has been charged with numerous offences including producing a dangerous drug.

He appeared in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court this morning.

here