The Australian/NZ Drug Busts Mega-Thread Part Triforce

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[NZ] 11-year-old girl living in meth lab

Police have found an 11-year-old girl living in a "significant sized" methamphetamine lab in the western Bay of Plenty.

The lab was discovered when officers and the Armed Offender Squad carried out a search at a Te Puke house yesterday.

They arrested and charged a 35-year-old man with manufacturing and supplying methamphetamine.

A 55-year-old man was also charged with allowing his property to be used for drug offending.

Western Bay of Plenty detective senior sergeant Lindsay Pilbrow an 11-year-old girl found living in the lab could have been harmed.

The child has been referred to Child, Youth and Family, he said.

"Combined with the fact that this was illegal drugs activity, it is also very concerning that an operation like this has been established in a residential area, with a number of other people and children living nearby.

"Clandestine laboratories are dangerous operations, and all of these people could have been harmed by this activity."


Figures revealed to the Bay of Plenty Times showed 90 children were found in 47 of 123 clandestine labs uncovered by police nationally from January 1 to November 30, 2010.

That compared with 55 children found at 29 of 135 sites in 2009.

The number of children found in other drug-dealing houses in 2010 was 390 - up from 251 the year before.

Mr Pilbrow said it was "not uncommon" for police to find children amongst the chemicals and drug equipment at methamphetamine labs.

"It's extremely concerning. Potentially it's damaging for their health and their safety... we take it seriously."

A special team called in from Auckland to analyse the chemicals and equipment at the Te Puke lab was still at the scene, Mr Pilbrow said.

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Man 'lunged at police with syringe'

A man who allegedly lunged at police with a syringe after they discovered cannabis at his home has appeared in the ACT Magistrates court.

Police were called to Jye Joseph McGrath's house in Griffith on Monday night after reports of a possible disturbance.

Police allege they found a hydroponic system and nine large cannabis plants growing in a bedroom.

It is alleged the 24-year-old tried to attack an officer with a syringe before attempting to kick and head-butt other officers.

He was charged with cultivating a trafficable quantity of cannabis and obstructing an official.

The prosecutor opposed bail but Magistrate Beth Campbell released McGrath so he could return to his full time job, "to keep him grounded".

He will appear again at a later date.

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Drug lab located Varsity Lakes

A man has been charged in relation to the alleged discovery of a drug lab at Varsity Lakes this morning.

Around 6.30am detectives from the Southern Investigative Group – Gold Coast Criminal Investigation Branch executed a search warrant on a residence at Southlake Drive, where it is alleged the drug lab was found in the garage.

Police detained a man at the scene.

Members of the Illicit Laboratory Investigation Team attended to safely dismantle the lab.

A 39-year-old Varsity Lakes man has been charged with production of a dangerous drug. He is expected to face Southport Magistrates Court tomorrow.

Police investigations are continuing.

Anyone with information which could assist police with their investigations should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.

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Drug maker jailed over amphetamines lab

A Pilbara man has been sentenced to 18 month's jail for operating a clandestine drug laboratory in South Hedland.

Adam John Fitzgerald, 34, was arrested last year after police searched a suburban property.

They found two men producing amphetamines.

Fitzgerald pleaded guilty to manufacturing a prohibited drug and was yesterday sentenced in the South Hedland District Court to an 18 month jail term with parole.

Acting District Inspector Richard Moore says it is an excellent outcome.

"Prevention's obviously better than cure and in this case the offenders were actually producing the substance," he said.

"For the detectives to arrive when they were actually producing these drugs was a good result, so I'm sure the local detectives will be very happy with the result as will the people of South and Port Hedland."

Fitzgerald's co-accused, Arthur Albert Gear, 46, yesterday pleaded guilty to the same charge.

He is due to be sentenced next month.

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Man fined $4K over steroids import

A former security officer from Albury has been fined more than $4,000 for importing nearly a kilogram of steroids.

Jeremy Zentveld-Smith, 27, of Albury, pleaded guilty to 12 charges relating to the importation of about 970 grams of steroids and a pill press.

The prosecution referred to the quantity imported as a significant amount.

Magistrate Gordon Lerve said Zentfeld-Smith made amateur attempts to disguise the illegal imports which were ordered over the internet.

The magistrate said he could not prove beyond reasonable doubt that Zentveld-Smith was importing the drugs for anything other than personal use and imposed a $4,250 fine.

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Drug lab uncovered in Inverell

Police have arrested and charged a 41-year-old man after uncovering an alleged drug lab at a property in Inverell, in northern New South Wales.

A specialist police chemical unit from Sydney, Forensic Services Group officers from Tamworth and Inverell, and the Fingerprint Squad from Lismore assisted in the raid.

Inspector Rowan O'Brien, from New England Local Area Command, says the premises had to be evacuated because of the volatile nature of substances found at the location.

He says the man is facing a string of serious drug-related charges.

"He was charged in regards to the manufacture of a prohibited drug, he was also charged in regards to having possession of pre-cursors and apparatus used in the manufacture of a prohibited drug," he said.

"He's appeared at Inverell Local Court and has been remanded in custody until June 23."

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Man arrested after police find alleged clandestine drug laboratory– Cessnock

A man has been charged with manufacturing and supplying drugs after police allegedly discovered a clandestine drug laboratory in Cessnock yesterday.

Officers attached to Central Hunter Local Area Command have been investigating the supply of drugs in the region.

Following extensive investigations police executed a search warrant on a house in Chapman Street about 6.30am (Thursday 26 May).

A clandestine laboratory was allegedly located and specialist officers from the Drug Squad’s Chemical Operations Unit were called in.

Chemicals used in the manufacture of drugs were seized, as well as an amount of cannabis, heroin and amphetamine.

Police also located an unregistered firearm during the search.nnA 55-year-old man was arrested inside the house and later charged with manufacture prohibited drug, supply prohibited drug, possess instructions for drug manufacture, posses prohibited drug and posses unregistered firearm.

He has been refused bail to appear in Cessnock Local Court today.

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Teenager charged with drug possession, supply - Clovelly

A teenager will appear in court next month after he was charged with drug supply and possession in Sydney’s east today.

Throughout the day (Friday 27 May), officers attached to Eastern Beaches Local Area Command were conducting routine patrols in Clovelly as part of Operation Sabre – a local operation which targets specific offences at different locations daily.

About 2.30 pm, police stopped a vehicle on Varna Street for the purpose of a random breath test.

It is alleged that during a subsequent search of the car police located an amount of cannabis and ecstasy pills.

A 17-year-old Kingsford youth was arrested and taken to Maroubra Police Station where he was charged with supply and possess prohibited drug.

He was bailed to appear at Bidura Children’s Court on 21 June.

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Man in court on firearm, drug, copyright charges – Campsie

A man is due to appear in Parramatta court this morning charged with drug, firearm and copyright offences.

Police attached to the Campsie Pro Active Crime Team initiated an investigation into the alleged supply of drugs and illegal DVDs in the area.

It was about 6.30pm yesterday that police stopped a 57-year-old man as he was driving along Hannons Road at Narwee.

The car was searched during which police located numerous DVDs that they will allege were illegal copies, as well as four knives and more than $1400 cash.

A search warrant was executed on a house in August Street, Condell Park, late last night during which police will allege equipment used to manufacture illegal DVDs was found.

Staff from the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) assisted police in identifying more than 8500 pirated DVDs, many of them new-release movies including Pirates of the Caribbean and Water for Elephants.

Police also seized four firearms, methylamphetamine with an estimated potential street value of more than $10,000, and almost $25,000 in cash.

The man was charged with:
• Supply an indictable quantity of a prohibited drug;
• Deal with property suspected of being the proceeds of crime;
• Custody of a knife in a public place;
• Possess unregistered firearm (four counts);
• Not keep firearm safely (four counts); and
• Possess unauthorised firearm (one count).

He was also charged with multiple breaches of the Commonwealth Copyright Law.

The man was refused bail overnight and will appear in Parramatta Bail Court later today.

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14 arrested over drug-infused oil shipment

Police have arrested 14 people in three countries after a drug bust in north Queensland.

Authorities say the group used a highly sophisticated technique to import more than 50 kilograms of cocaine into Australia.

They allegedly infused the drugs in barrels of hydraulic oil. Chemists in Australia and Colombia were able to hide and extract it.

Police say the cocaine-laced oil arrived in Melbourne on May 10, was shipped to Brisbane and then sent to north Queensland by train.

Australian Federal Police, Queensland authorities and Customs and Border Protection officers carried out seven search warrants in Mackay overnight, and seized the drugs along with hundreds of litres of chemicals.

One Australian and three Colombians were arrested in Mackay. Seven others were arrested in Colombia and Panama.

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More arrests to come after drug-laced oil bust

Police say they expect to make more arrests over an international drug syndicate with links to north Queensland.

A total of 14 people have been charged after more than 50 kilograms of cocaine was found in drums of oil seized yesterday at a Mackay railyard, following a two year police investigation.

The illegal haul had a street value in the tens of millions of dollars.

Three men will appear in the Mackay Magistrates Court on Monday, while arrests were also made in Colombia and Panama.

They allegedly infused the drugs in 17 barrels of hydraulic oil, hidden amongst a total consignment of 600 barrels. Chemists in Australia and Colombia were then able to hide and extract it.

Australian Federal Police Commander Mark Walters says it was a well-planned operation.

"The cocaine was suspended in hydraulic oil, in that it was mixed or blended in with the oil, highlighting the sophistication of the importation and the lengths that these transnational organised crime syndicates will go to import cocaine and other illicit drugs into Australia," he said.

"It's a very sophisticated method of concealment to avoid law enforcement identification and detection.

"There's a lot of money involved in the importation of drugs and other illicit substances into Australia and they will take extraordinary lengths to avoid law enforcement interest and detection of the substances."

The imported cocaine was destined for Australia's major eastern cities.

Commander Walters says the results of the bust will be widespread.

"The significance of this operation is more than just a large seizure of cocaine, it's also about the lasting damage this will inflict on transnational organised crime and Australia's illicit drug trade," he said.

"This operation has dismantled a cocaine syndicate at every level, from the organisers, investors and financiers to the dealers peddling these drugs on our streets.

"We've choked the drug supply at the source in South America, apprehended the facilitators in Central America, we've taken out the major players of an organised crime syndicate within Australia and we've put the drug distribution networks on notice in Australia's major cities."

Police say the cocaine-laced oil arrived in Melbourne on May 10, was shipped to Brisbane and then sent to north Queensland by train.

Australian Federal Police, Queensland authorities and Customs and Border Protection officers carried out seven search warrants in Mackay on Friday night, and seized the drugs along with hundreds of litres of chemicals.

One Australian, aged 38, and three Colombians were arrested in Mackay. Seven others were arrested in Colombia and Panama.

Their charges carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

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Drug & firearms charges, Aspley

A man has been charged in relation to the alleged discovery of drug and firearm related property at Aspley last night.

Police intercepted a car being driven along Darwin Street around 8.30pm. A number of items were allegedly located in the vehicle including drug related property, a shortened rifle and explosive powder.

The 46-year-old Mundubbera man who was allegedly driving the vehicle was issued with a Notice to Appear for driving whilst disqualified.

A 42-year-old Tamborine man was passenger in the car and he has been charged with eight offences relating to the possession of drug related property and weapons.

He will appear in Pine Rivers Magistrates Court on Monday charged with two counts of possession of dangerous drug, three counts of possession of (drug related) things, possession of explosives and two charges relating to unlawful possession of a firearm.

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Police crack down on housing estate drug trade

Police will move into a Melbourne public housing estate as part of their fight against drug dealers.

A unit in the Elizabeth Street complex at Richmond will be turned into a police command post to give officers a greater presence at the low-rise estate.

New CCTV cameras will be installed to try to spot people selling and using drugs.

Authorities are also having problems with people stashing their drugs inside fire hose casings.

State Housing Minister Wendy Lovell says the 107-unit estate must be made safer for the families who live there.

"The low-rise at Richmond have has severe drug problems in recent times and we're stepping up security and a police presence on the estate to ensure that it's a safer place for families," she said.

"We're sending a strong message to drug dealers that we will not tolerate illegal activity on Office of Housing estates."

Ms Lovell says many of the estate's 218 residents are scared by the large groups of drug users and drunks that gather there.

"We want to make these estates safer places and this will include the installation of four new CCTV cameras in the walk-up area, also increasing the police presence by allowing them to use a unit in that area as a command post," she said.

The Yarra Drug and Health Forum's Greg Denham says he's been calling for a greater police presence around public housing for the past 10 years.

"You've got people coming from all over Victoria to buy their drugs in Richmond," he said.

"I think the fact that the police are there will be a very good approach in terms of providing some proactive, preventative measures which I think the people in that particular part of Richmond are really looking for."

But Yarra mayor Alison Clarke says a supervised injecting room would address more of the issues associated with drug use.

"This is really drug law enforcement and the concerns that we have are to do with that, but they're also to do with the amenity impacts, the health impacts, the safety impacts," she said.

"We need multiple approaches to do with that. I'm not sure whether this will just move the problem somewhere else but I guess we'll just wait and see."

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Man charged after unit searched – Ermington

Police from Rosehill Local Area Command have arrested and charged a man after a search warrant was executed in Ermington last night.

Police will allege cannabis, scales and drug paraphernalia were found when the home unit in River Road was searched about 11pm.

Police also seized a rifle, antique replica pistol and more than $8000 cash.

A 45-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Parramatta Police Station where he was charged with supply a prohibited drug, and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

He was granted conditional bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court on 6 July.

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Four front court over cocaine bust

Four men have appeared in a north Queensland court charged over a multi-million dollar cocaine haul.

The men were among 14 people arrested as part a two-year investigation into an international drug ring.

On Friday night, officers from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) raided a shipping container in Mackay that had barrels of hydraulic oil, some of which were used to conceal cocaine.

More than 50 kilograms of cocaine was found in the oil drums at a Mackay rail yard.

Police say the haul had a street value of tens of millions of dollars.

Arrests have also been made overseas in Colombia and Panama.

Investigations are continuing into the international drug syndicate.

The three Columbian nationals and one Australian man briefly appeared in the Mackay Magistrates Court this morning on 32 charges relating to the importation, possession and distribution of a commercial quantity of cocaine.

No pleas were entered.

All matters have been adjourned to tomorrow when bail applications are expected to be made.

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Man to front court over drug lab

Police have raided a drug lab in Busselton.

The clandestine lab was found at a home in Bignell Drive yesterday.

Police say it is the 79th drub lab to be found so far this year and the 23rd for the month of May.

An 18-year-old man is due to appear in the Bunbury Magistrates Court today to face a charge of manufacturing a prohibited drug.

Police say another four people are being questioned about the lab.

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Commissioner says son warned over drug use

The West Australian Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan says he had warned his son he would have to alert authorities if he caught him in possession of drugs.

Late last month Mr O'Callaghan's 29-year-old son Russell pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting to manufacture methylamphetamine.

The charges were laid in March after he was injured in a drug laboratory explosion at a house in the Perth suburb of Carlisle.

Mr O'Callaghan has told the ABC his son first admitted to being a methylampehtamine addict four years ago.

"He didn't obviously want to come near me because he knew I was a police officer," he said.

"I'd made it clear to him at one stage that if I ever found him in possession of a drug I would have no choice but to do something about that."

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OMCG members charged, drugs and snake seized following search warrant – Ropes Crossin

Two men have been arrested this morning following a drug operation in western Sydney.

Strike Force Jerome officers executed a search warrant at a home at Ropes Crossing, about 6.30am today, where they arrested a 36-year-old man and a 26-year-old man. During the operation police seized a firearm, ammunition and a jungle python.

Police also located an improvised explosive device; however this was rendered safe by specialist police at a nearby park. The two men, who police allege are members of the Rebels OMCG, were taken to Penrith Police Station.

They were later charged with firearms offences and refused bail.

The men will appear in Penrith Local Court today.

Today’s arrest relates to investigations by Strike Force Jerome which was established by Penrith Local Area Command in February 2011.

“This was a significant investigation targeting persons allegedly involved in crimes involving violence,” said Penrith Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Grant Healey.

“These arrests are only the beginning. We are not backing down from those who choose to break the law,’ he said.

“We won’t put up with it, and the community shouldn’t have to either.”

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Two people charged over alleged heroin possession – Asian Crime Squad

Asian Crime Squad detectives have arrested and charged a man and woman over alleged heroin possession offences.

About 1.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 31 May, 2011), police conducted a vehicle stop in Cabramatta, where they located and seized a small quantity of heroin from the vehicle. The 29-year-old male driver was arrested at the scene.

About 6.10pm yesterday, detectives executed two search warrants at Firth Avenue at Green Valley and South Liverpool Road at Heckenberg.

At the Green Valley address, police located and seized a small quantity of heroin and a prescribed restricted substance (Subutex) and arrested a 23-year-old woman at the scene.

At the Heckenberg address, police located and seized a quantity of white powder suspected of being heroin, along with drug-related paraphernalia and relevant documents.

The 29-year-old man was charged with possess prohibited drug and was granted conditional bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court on 20 June, 2011.

The 23-year-old woman was charged with possess prohibited drug and possess prescribed restricted substance. She was granted bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court on 20 June, 2011.

Strike Force Creagh comprises detectives from the State Crime Command’s Asian Crime Squad and was established to investigate alleged drug supply offences.

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Bail refused for drug ring accused

A man from Mackay charged over a multi-million dollar drug ring in north Queensland has been refused bail.

Markis Scott Turner is one of four men charged in north Queensland after police raided a shipping container in Mackay on Friday night, allegedly finding 50 kilograms of cocaine concealed in oil drums.

Magistrate Ron Muirhead said Mr Tuner is an unacceptable flight risk.

The three Colombian nationals did not apply for bail.

The matter has been adjourned until July.

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