The Australian/NZ Drug Busts Mega-Thread Part Triforce

[poledriver]

Mokbel associate guilty on drugs charges

A man accused of making drugs for former Melbourne underworld boss Tony Mokbel has been found guilty of possessing drugs and precursor chemicals.

Wayne Finn, 44, of Elwood and his brother Matthew Finn, 34, of Huntingdale, were accused of making methylamphetamines for Mokbel between 2005 and 2007.

The Supreme Court heard Mokbel taught Wayne Finn how to make the drug and set him up in a laboratory at a Springvale factory, which his brother used for his plumbing business.

Wayne Finn was found guilty on two counts of possessing precursor chemicals and one count of possessing a drug of dependence.

However, Wayne Finn was cleared on multiple charges of trafficking and possession.

Matthew Finn, who pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing an unregistered firearm, was cleared of all drug charges.

Justice Geoffrey Nettle bailed the brothers to reappear in the Victorian Supreme Court next Friday for a pre-sentence hearing.

In April, Mokbel admitted to heading a multi-million-dollar drug syndicate, bringing an end to one of the last chapters in Melbourne's gangland war.

He pleaded guilty to charges of trafficking large commercial quantities of ecstasy and speed, and to urging an undercover officer to import ecstasy into Australia.

Police chased Mokbel halfway across the world to bring him to justice, after he fled the country while standing trial for trafficking cocaine in 2006.

He was arrested in a cafe in Athens in 2007 and extradited back to Australia, where he was charged with two murders and a number of drug trafficking offences.

But in May 2009, prosecutors dropped a murder charge over the killing of Michael Marshall in 2003 and four months later he was acquitted of ordering the 2004 murder of gangland figure Lewis Moran.

Mokbel faces a maximum term of life imprisonment for each of his two charges of trafficking in a large commercial quantity of drugs, but as part of the plea deal prosecutors will likely not call for life.

While on the run, Mokbel was sentenced by a Victorian judge to at least nine years in prison for importing nearly two kilograms of cocaine from Mexico.

Mokbel will appear in the Victorian Supreme Court for a pre-sentence hearing on June 16.

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Police dismantle hydroponic cannabis house – Kogarah

A man will face court today, charged over a hydroponic cannabis house which was raided by police in Sydney’s south.

Officers from Redfern Region Enforcement Squad raided the house in Union Street, Kogarah, yesterday afternoon (Friday 3 June).

Inside, they allegedly found an elaborate hydroponic set-up with four out of the five bedrooms converted into specialised cannabis growing rooms.

More than 50 cannabis plants were seized, including many which were mature and ready for harvest.

Also located were chemicals, dried cannabis and sophisticated electrical modifications to allow the alleged theft of electricity.

The cannabis plants and dried cannabis have an estimated potential street value of more than $200,000.

A 33-year-old man was arrested at the house and taken to Kogarah Police Station.

He has since been charged with enhanced indoor cultivation of cannabis, supply prohibited drug and steal electricity.

The man was refused bail and will face Parramatta Local Court later today.

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Drug charges, Dutton Park

A New Farm man will face court next month after police allegedly located a clandestine laboratory in the boot of a car in Dutton Park yesterday.

Police performing mobile patrols intercepted the man on TJ Doyle Memorial Park Drive around 10am.

The 41-year-old has been served with a notice to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on July 12 on three counts of possession of a dangerous drug and one count each of possession of a restricted drug and stealing.

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Police seize drugs as part of Operation Yield 6

Police have conducted a series of raids on residential premises in the Gawler region today as part of Operation Yield 6.

Operation Yield 6 is an operation targeting offences involving illicit drugs.

Six homes were searched and a total of 11 mature cannabis plants and prescribed equipment were seized from two homes.

A 31-year-old man from Evanston Park was arrested after police allegedly located 5 mature plants from his Greenways Street home.

He was charged with cultivating cannabis for sale, unlawful possession (cash) and possessing an unregistered firearm.

He was released on police bail and is expected to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on 6 July 2011.

A 43-year-old man from Gawler South was reported for possessing prescribed equipment and cultivating cannabis after 6 mature cannabis plants and equipment used for the manufacturing of illicit drugs were allegedly found in his Hill Street home.

He will be summonsed to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court at a later date.

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Police seize drugs, firearm and vehicles during raid – Kincumber

Police have seized drugs, a firearm, motorcycles and cars during a raid on a home on the Central Coast.

A search warrant was conducted on the home at Bilinga Road, Kincumber, about 3.30pm yesterday (Friday 3 June) by detectives attached to Brisbane Water Local Area Command, assisted by the Tactical Operations Unit, Strike Force Raptor and the Police Airwing.

During the raid, officers seized a rifle and ammunition, capsules believed to contain MDMA, two Harley Davidson motorcycles and three other vehicles believed to be subject to theft and re-birthing offences.

The drugs will undergo forensic analysis.

Officers spoke with a 42-year-old man at the premises.

Investigations are continuing, with officers making inquiries into outlaw motorcycle gang activity, and charges are expected.

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[poledriver]

Finks bikie re-arrested S A

Detectives from the Crime Gangs Task Force last night arrested and charged a 31-year-old-man from Sefton Park, a full member of the Finks Motorcycle Gang, with breach of bail, trafficking a controlled drug allegedly amphetamine, cultivate cannabis, and possession a controlled drug, allegedly steroids.

The same man was arrested earlier in the day, charged with allegedly being involved in a violent incident in a Hindley Street nightclub last weekend.

The arrested man has been refused police bail and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday 6 June 2011.

Members of the Crime Gangs Task Force continue to investigate the incident and anticipate further arrests in coming days.

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Ute's roo bar used in ram raids on pharmacies W A

Police say a ute with a roo bar has been used in ram raids on four pharmacies in Perth's northern suburbs overnight.

Police Media's Roz Weatherall says the ute was used to smash through the doors of a pharmacy in Flinders Street, Yokine.

"The same vehicle was used in another three incidents, one at a pharmacy in Maylands, one in Dianella and one in Noranda," she said.

The ute caused extensive damage to the front of all of the shops.

The thieves targeted medicine and pills used in the manufacture of methylamphetamine in all four pharmacies.

A man and a woman were arrested when police stopped a vehicle on Reid Highway in Noranda.

Roz Weatherall says they are currently being questioned.

"Police now have two people in custody who are helping us with our inquiries," she said.

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[poledriver]

Man charged for attempted heroin importation in bed frames

A 51-year-old Sunshine North man is scheduled to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court today charged with attempting to import approximately 1.7 kgs of heroin into Australia via a shipping container.

Australian Customs and Border Protection Service officers discovered the heroin after targeting and searching the container at the Melbourne Container Examination facility when it arrived from Vietnam on 21 May 2011.

Located inside the container among other items were metal bed frames. Concealed inside two hollow tubes within one of the bed frames was a package weighing approximately 100 grams.

The package was examined and found to contain a powdery substance which initial testing showed to be heroin. Further inspection of the container revealed the presence of 16 similar packages also concealed within the metal bed frames.

The matter was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) who later arrested and charged the man with the following offences:

Importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs, namely heroin, contrary to section 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code.
Attempting to possess commercial quantities of unlawfully imported border controlled drugs, namely heroin, contrary to section 307.5 of the Criminal Code by virtue of subsection 11.1.
The maximum penalty for these offences is an $825,000 fine and/or life imprisonment.

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[poledriver]

Police seize 71 cannabis plants S A

Police seized 71 cannabis plants and a significant amount of hydroponic equipment on Saturday 4 June 2011 following a search of a house at Croydon Park.

A 27-year-old man from Mansfield Park has been charged with the cultivation and trafficking of a controlled drug.

The man been bailed to appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court at a later date.

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[poledriver]

Drug related charges,Torquay

A man has been charged after the alleged discovery of a clandestine drug laboratory at Torquay yesterday.

Just after 10.30am detectives from Hervey Bay Criminal Investigation Branch executed a search warrant on a residence in Cunningham Street, where it is alleged a drug lab was found in the kitchen.

Police evacuated several people from the house and members of the Illicit Laboratory Investigation Team attended to safely dismantle the equipment.

A 38-year-old Urangan man has been charged with production of a dangerous drug and possession of a dangerous drug. He is expected to face Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on June 30.

Police investigations are continuing.

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[poledriver]

Two men charged for false documentation and drug possession

A 33-year-old Fadden, ACT man and a 25-year-old Mosman, NSW man will appear in Waverley Local Court today after being charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) with offences relating to fraudulent documentation and drug possession.

AFP Officers at Sydney International Airport responded to a request for assistance at a bank in the terminal on Saturday, 30 April 2011 after the 25-year-old man allegedly produced fraudulent documentation in an attempt to access a bank account.

The man was apprehended in a car park after he attempted to escape in a car with the other man.

A search of the vehicle was conducted and items seized included a small quantity of methylamphetamine, as well as two pills believed to be ecstasy.

The 33-year-old man was charged with the following offences:

One count of possessing a prohibited drug contrary to section 10(1) of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW)
One count of possessing equipment for administering prohibited drugs contrary to section 11(1) of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW)
One count of goods in personal custody suspected of being stolen contrary to section 527C of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW)
Once count of possessing a prescribed restricted substance contrary to section 16(1) of the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1966 (NSW)
One count of attempting to use a false document to obtain financial advantage contrary to section 254(b)(ii) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) (accessory after the fact)
The maximum penalty for these offences is $2,200 and/or 2 years’ imprisonment.

The 25-year-old man was charged with the following offences:

One count of attempting to use a false document to obtain financial advantage contrary to section 254(b)(ii) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW)
One count of possessing a false document to obtain financial advantage contrary to section 255(b)(ii) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW)

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[belarki]

Police dismantle a major drug operation

In a major strike against the illicit drug trade, Queensland Police Service (QPS) and the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) have combined to shut down what is believed to be one the state’s largest clandestine laboratories.

QPS Detective Chief Superintendent Gayle Hogan said this operation shows the dedication and commitment that law enforcement in Australia has on the dismantling of illegal drug operations.

“A preliminary examination of this clan lab suggests that it held enough chemicals to produce up to 70kg of methylamphetamine, with a street value in excess of $30 million,” ACC Acting National Manager of Target Development and Intervention Carey Stent said.

“Examinations of the lab are continuing and chemicals have also been uncovered that suggest a similar amount of MDMA could be produced.”

The lab located near the QLD/NSW border was home to large quantities of illicit precursor chemicals and over $300,000 of manufacturing equipment.

The combined effort from both agencies included countless hours over 18 months on gathering intelligence and evidence.

This effort culminated on Monday, 6 June 2011 with the deployment of over 100 staff to execute 8 search warrants, arrest of 5 individuals and seizure of over 2.5 tonnes of chemicals.

Charges:
A 44-year-old man from Currumbin Waters has been charged with produce dangerous drug, possess dangerous drug and possess things used in connection with a dangerous drug.

A 36-year-old from Bilinga has been charged with produce dangerous drug, possess dangerous drug and possess things used in connection with a dangerous drug.

A 20-year-old from Palm Beach was charged with produce dangerous drug, possess dangerous drug, possess things used in connection with a dangerous drug and possess a concealable firearm.

A 19-year-old from Currumbin Valley has been charged was issued with a notice to appear for possess dangerous drug and possess a utensil.

A 30-year-old man from Helensvale has been charged with produce dangerous drug, possess dangerous drug and possess things used in connection with a dangerous drug.

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[poledriver]

Drug arrests at Gulfview Heights and Prospect S A

Police have arrested two men in relation to separate drug matters.

A cannabis crop was discovered at Gulfview Heights on 27 April and follow-up enquiries has resulted in the arrest of a 23-year-old man from Munno Para West.

He has been charged with cultivate cannabis and possess prescribed equipment.

Bailed Holden Hill Magistrates Court 1 August.

The second arrest was yesterday when detectives went to a Prospect address for drug related enquiries.

Police will allege the man attempted to dispose of drugs down a toilet which are suspected of being methamphetamine and 200 ecstasy pills.

An amount of cash was also found.

A 24 year old man from Prospect has been charged with traffick a commercial quantity of a commercial drug, unlawful possession and hinder police.

Bailed to Holden Hill Magistrates Court on 27 July.

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[poledriver]

Hydroponic house raids – Doonside and Castle Hill

Police are currently dismantling two separate hydroponic cannabis houses in Sydney’s north-west.

Officers from the North-West Metropolitan Region Enforcement Squad (Gordon and Penrith) raided the houses at Castle Street, Castle Hill, and Shortland Avenue, Doonside, earlier today.

Two men were arrested, one at each of the premises, and they are currently assisting police with their inquiries.

The two houses are not believed to be linked.

Police are still at both homes and believe there are hundreds of cannabis plants inside.

Each house has a sophisticated hydroponic set-up with numerous rooms converted into specialised growing rooms.

Inquiries are continuing.

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[poledriver]

[NZ] Drug import charges for Canadian man

A Canadian man and his New Zealand partner are to appear in court in Rotorua charged with importing cocaine and ecstasy and various cannabis offences.

The pair were arrested following a three-week police operation into the importation of cocaine and ecstasy tablets.

The 44-year-old man was arrested yesterday after police and customs officers searched a Rotorua home, Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Loper said.

He will appear in the Rotorua District Court tomorrow, charged with the importation of the two drugs and possession of cocaine for supply.

The man's partner has been charged with cannabis related offences and is due to appear in court today.

- NZPA

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[poledriver]

Drug raid on houses in Albany W A

Detectives are questioning at least one man following a drug raid on four houses in Albany this morning.

Officers say they found cannabis and other unspecified drugs at a house on Troode Street and at another property on Albany Highway.

Police are yet to confirm if they have laid any charges but say they are dealing with a significant quantity of drugs.

Detectives say the raids are part of a wider police operation to crack down on drugs in Albany.

Officers from Perth have been called in to assist local police with the operation.

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[poledriver]

Court hears of buried drugs and money TAS

The Supreme Court in Hobart has heard that the drug known as ice and more than $48,000 was buried in the backyard of a former footballer's home.

37 year old Justin Richard Maynard has pleaded not guilty to a charge of dealing with property suspected of being the proceeds of crime.

The former Brighton Football Club coach has also denied trafficking in controlled substances.

The court heard the drugs, along with the money, two handguns and ammunition were wrapped in plastic and layered inside a pvc pipe buried in the backyard of Maynard's Rokeby home.

In her opening statement, prosecutor Linda Mason told the jury it would hear evidence about Maynard's lifestyle, including his alleged use of cocaine and a previous plea of guilty to an earlier charge of possessing methylamphetamine for sale.

The trial continues.

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[poledriver]

Mum put methadone in boy's bottle, court told S A

A court has heard an Adelaide woman allegedly put methadone in her sick five-year-old son's cordial bottle, causing his death.

The 44-year-old woman appeared at the Holden Hill Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with manslaughter and administering prescription medication to the boy.

Police prosecutor Jessica Esplin alleged the woman's two teenage sons, aged 15 and 16, told police that their mother had given their younger brother the drug during the night after she and the child had been sick with coughs.

Ms Esplin told the court that the older boy said he woke with his mother yelling that his brother was not breathing.

The younger brother told police he also woke up to his mother crying and rang an ambulance after she said she had put a little bit of methadone in the bottle to help the child get better.

The child was rushed to Modbury Hospital but was dead on arrival.

No application was made for bail and the woman has been remanded in custody to appear at the Holden Hill Magistrates Court on Thursday.

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[poledriver]

Drug lab accused to front court

Two men charged over the discovery on Queensland's Gold Coast of one of Australia's biggest illegal drug labs are due to face court today.

Police raided several homes on the southern Gold Coast on Monday and allegedly uncovered materials to produce up to 70 kilograms of drugs, worth more than $30 million.

Dane James Marriott, 36, Andreas Schmidt, 44 and three others were charged after raids on several homes on the southern Gold Coast on Monday.

The three others are due to face court at a later date.

Carey Stent from the Australian Crime Commission says it has been an extensive investigation.

"A number of allocated resources resulted in this coming to a culmination on Monday night," he said.

"Those resources were significant, there's no doubt about that.

"Without the collaboration of the Australian Crime Commission and Queensland police the investigations would not have been able to proceed to this level."

He says his officers and police worked on the case for 18 months.

"Through identifying a large-scale clandestine drug laboratory, which could easily be referred to as a mega laboratory, simply needs these resources to be allocated from both these agencies - that's how we made the difference," he said.

Acting Detective Superintendent Garry Watts says the Queensland Police Service allocated more than 20 officers to the effort.

"With respect to the Queensland Police Service, we had more than 20 police officers to assist on Monday executing search warrants," he said.

"Overall we've had considerable amounts of resources we've spent over the nearly past two years investigating these people."

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[poledriver]

Clan lab, drugs and firearms found at Athelstone

Police have arrested a 37-year-old man from Mawson Lakes following the discovery of a significant clan lab on Gorge Road, Athelstone overnight.

The lab was uncovered at about 8.30pm last night and a large quantity of produced product believed to be methamphetamine and cocaine was found.

Firearms, detonation cord and a large amount of cash was also located and seized.

Drug Investigation Branch members will process the lab today and enquiries continue.

In the meantime the man has been charged with manufacture a controlled drug, possess controlled precursor and firearms offences.

He has been refused bail and may appear in Court later today.

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