The Australian/NZ Drug Busts Mega-Thread Part Triforce

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Australian facing prison for drugs in Bali

A 48-year-old Victorian man has appeared in a Bali court on drugs charges, after he was allegedly caught with narcotics in May.

Ricky Shane Rawson is facing up to 12 years in an Indonesian jail for possession of less than one gram of methamphetamine.

Rawson faced the Denpasar District Court on Thursday, charged with one count of possession and one count of drug abuse.

The possession charge carries a penalty of between four and 12 years. The second charge a maximum penalty of four years.

The Melbourne man was arrested after allegedly being found with a bag containing 0.06g of methamphetamine following a raid on May 21 at the villa where he was staying, in the upmarket area of Seminyak in Bali.

He was also caught with two pills which police initially believed were ecstasy, but later turned out to be fake.

Rawson, who has not yet entered a plea, told the court he used the drugs to treat depression.

"It's not true I use (the drugs) for partying. It's for medication," Rawson said.

"I don't use it too often. I use it only when needed."

The Department of Foreign Affairs says it is offering assistance Rawson and his family.

Rawson is scheduled to appear in court again on August 23.​

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Possible drug link to 15 car pile-up freeway crash

A 25-year-old Queens Park man is being questioned over a "fair quantity" of methylamphetamine found in his car after a high-speed crash on the Kwinana Freeway that involved more than 15 cars and one caravan.
The man was taken into custody this morning and is expected to be charged by Rockingham detectives with possessing a prohibited drug with the intent to sell or supply. He may also face further charges for driving offences.
Senior Constable Naomi Smith said while drugs were seized from the car, detectives were yet to confirm reports that a mobile drug manufacturing equipment was also found.

The multiple car pile-up was cleared about 11am, and the northbound lanes of the freeway have been opened to traffic.
A vehicle was seen driving at speeds of up to 150km/h before veering off the side of the freeway just before Rowley Road about 6.45am today.
A number of people were injured in the crash, but none of the injuries were considered life threatening. Emergency workers and police are still at the crash scene.
One northbound lane was reopened just after 8am, however traffic was still banked up for several kilometres.
Former Fremantle Docker Heath Black told 6PR radio he felt lucky to be alive after the witnessing the smash on the way to the airport this morning.
He said he was driving along the Freeway just after 6.30am, travelling about 80km/h, when a car overtook him on the inside lane.

"A car passed me doing, I suspect, between 130 and 150kmh which was a huge shock and he did that up the inside lane for about six cars," he said.
"[He] pulled in to the right hand lane, and tried to correct, then over-corrected and sort of did an S-pattern for about 100 metres, until the car took out three or four cars, and T-boned a small car and rolled into the left ditch.

"I've never seen anything like it in my life.
"To come that close is just a bit scary.
"I've only seen that stuff on American TV to be honest, that total disregard for human life."

Mr Black said he immediately pulled over and helped other people involved in the crash and stayed on the scene to give evidence to police.
Police spokeswoman Susan Usher said one man had been taken into custody at the scene.
More than 15 cars and one caravan were involved in the crash which was expected to take several hours to clear.
The northbound lanes of the Kwinana Freeway just south of the Rowley Road exit were completely blocked.
Emergency services workers are on site. Several people were believed to be injured however the extent of the injuries was not known.
Drivers are being advised to avoid the area.​

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Clandestine laboratory, Deception Bay

Redcliffe detectives have charged a 40-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman with producing dangerous drugs after officers allegedly located a clandestine drug laboratory in a Deception Bay home last night.

Police attended a Shayne Avenue residence around 10.55pm where they allegedly located materials used to produce methylamphetamines.

The Deception Bay pair appeared in the Redcliffe Magistrates Court today where they also faced charges of possession of a relevant thing or substance, possession of instructions for producing dangerous drugs, possession of anything used in the commission of a crime (Drugs Misuse Act), and fail to take reasonable care and precautions in relation to a syringe.​

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Man charged, clandestine laboratory located - Leppington

A man has been arrested and charged after police discovered a large scale clandestine laboratory at a house in Leppington yesterday morning.

About 9:30am (Thursday 11 August 2011), detectives from Camden Local Area Command conducted a search warrant at a house on Heath Road.

Whilst searching the premises police allegedly located an active clandestine laboratory in the rear garages of the property.

Local detectives assisted by officers from the State Crime Command’s Drug Squad (Chemical Operations Unit) continued the search and allegedly located 2kg of a substance believed to be methylamphetamine.

An amount of equipment commonly used in the manufacture of prohibited drugs was also located and later dismantled.

A 41-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Narellan Police Station where he was charged with manufacture prohibited drugs.

He was refused bail to appear in Campbelltown Local Court today (Friday 12 August 2011).​

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Illegal drug lab explosion in the Swan Valley

There has been another explosion at a clandestine drug lab in Perth.

Police were called to a home in Millendon in the Swan Valley last night after a garage on the Great Northern Highway burst into flames last night.

Police sergeant Julie Hansen says it is the 120th drug lab found in the state this year.

"A 48 year-old man has suffered serious burns to his head and face, he's now in ICU in hospital," she said.

"Also located at the scene along with items consistent with the manufacture of drugs, a hydroponic set up and a stolen motorcycle."

The man is being treated in the burns unit at Royal Perth Hospital.​

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Man charged over $300K cannabis haul

A man is due to face firearm and drug charges in court next month after police raided a property at Larnook.

Police will allege they found a large cannabis growing operation on the Cawongla Road property.

Police say drugs, with a potential street value of more than $300,000, were seized.

A 61-year-old man was granted conditional bail and is due to appear in court next month.​

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Police smash major alleged “Ice” syndicate: Four arrested, drugs seized - Manly area

Police have smashed an alleged major drug distribution network operating on Sydney’s northern beaches.

Detectives from the Manly Local Area Command established Strike Force Staple in February this year to investigate the ongoing supply of highly potent methylamphetamine (ICE) and other illegal drugs.

Around 2pm yesterday (Thursday 11 August), the Manly officers, assisted by Northern Beaches LAC detectives; members of the North-West Region Enforcement Squad (RES); Strike Force Raptor and the Dog Squad arrested three men, aged 32, 28 and 45, at a home in Willandra Avenue at Beacon Hill.

One of the suspects, the alleged principal, was apprehended at gunpoint while attempting to enter the house.

A 42-year-old woman was arrested during another raid at a unit on Ellis Road at Beacon Hill.

All four were taken to the Dee Why Police Station and charged with drug possession and supply offences.

The three men have been refused bail and ordered to appear before the Hornsby Local Court this morning. The woman was taken to hospital after complaining of abdominal pains and remains under police guard.

A search of the two-storey Beacon Hill home allegedly uncovered a stash of 81 grams of ICE and a large sum of money.

Manly Crime Manager, Gemma Phillips, has praised the work of the strike force detectives.

“The officers’ determined work over six months has led to the dismantling of what we allege to be a significant drug network on the northern beaches,” Detective Inspector Phillips said.

“I am very proud of the effort the team has put in and I hope this sends a strong message to anyone attempting to ply drugs within the Manly Local Area Command,” she added​

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[NZ] Underworld kingpin sentenced on drug charges

Underworld kingpin and Northland businessman Max John Beckham has been jailed for 13 years and six months on top of his current sentence for kidnapping.

The wealthy businessman - who headed a methamphetamine syndicate from his lifestyle block in Northland - was sentenced at the High Court in Auckland today.

The 63-year-old faced a possible life sentence after being found guilty in April of serious drug charges, including conspiracy to manufacture and supply methamphetamine, supply of methamphetamine, cocaine, cannabis oil and Ecstasy and money laundering.

His wife, Jenny Marie Taylor was senteneced to nine months home detention on two charges of money laundering.

Just one of Beckham's charges was the supply of 2kg of P - worth $2 million.

He has also been found guilty of kidnapping - after using a stun gun on the victim - committing a crime with a firearm and perverting the course of justice.


Beckham was a successful businessman who used to own the ITM store in Mangonui, ran a property development company and hand-planted a large olive orchard.

He was also a crime boss who made millions of dollars in a drug ring which he ruled ruthlessly.

Auckland drug detectives found $865,720 cash in a Ford Territory and his home when Beckham was arrested in December 2008.

Assets and cash worth more than $10 million were frozen by the High Court, including the cash haul, two lifestyle properties with a combined value of $1.1 million, a $750,000 West Auckland home and a $630,000 inner-city apartment.

Two late-model Ford Falcons have also been seized - one with the registration plate B4DBOY - as well as a fishing vessel called Unity.

Beckham was the main target of Operation Jivaro, led by Detective Sergeant Lloyd Schmid of the Auckland drug squad. Over six months police tapped his cellphone, bugged his car and tailed him.

At the time of his arrest, Beckham was a significant figure in the methamphetamine trade in Northland and Auckland, police said.

Bugged conversations in his Ford Territory were frank - and in some cases sexually explicit - with young women he was meeting.

A young Asian woman was heard talking about 23 "sets" of pseudoephedrine being smuggled into the country. A "set" is 1000 tablets of the class-C drug, which is the main ingredient of P.

The jury also heard conversations of a sexual nature between the two.

Beckham defended the charges. A core part of his defence was a personal attack on Mr Schmid, who was also the officer in charge of Operation Manu, which busted a P ring running from SkyCity casino in 2006.

During the Operation Jivaro trial, defence lawyer Murray Gibson questioned whether Mr Schmid had been the subject of an internal police inquiry into allegations he spoke to an informant inappropriately.

Crown prosecutor David Johnstone told the jury the inquiry cleared Mr Schmid of any wrongdoing.

"There was no impeachment of his character. Quite the opposite. He is a police officer who acted with integrity," he said.

While Beckham was found guilty of 24 charges - and acquitted of 29 others - co-accused Paul Yu Hung Szeto was found not guilty of money- laundering and methamphetamine supply charges after the seven-week trial. But the sickness beneficiary with three luxury cars worth $250,000 was evicted from his taxpayer-subsidised state home after a Weekend Herald investigation.

In June, Beckham was found guilty in the Whangarei District Court of kidnapping, committing a crime with a firearm, and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. He stood beside Mark Rogers, who was also found guilty of kidnapping and committing a crime with a firearm, and Matthew Woller, convicted of perverting the course of justice.

What the jury didn't know was that Rogers was already serving 11 years after pleading guilty to supplying 2kg of methamphetamine - one of the charges Beckham was later convicted of in the Auckland trial.

At 4.20am on August 18, 2008, Beckham and Rogers went to the home of Eugene Young, who was woken by barking dogs. Rogers pistol-whipped Young in the face.

"I fell to the ground in the mud and by then Max came up and jumped on me and used a Taser on my neck and shoulders," Young told the jury.

A pillowcase was put over his head and taped. The pair demanded Young give back cannabis they claimed he had stolen from Beckham's house, or pay $25,000.

A month later, the Black Power-linked Woller arranged a meeting with Beckham and Lance Young, Eugene's older brother, telling Young to advise his brother to "clam up".​

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Large cannabis crop found at Angle Vale

A man has been arrested after police discovered 250 cannabis plants at his home in Angle Vale yesterday.

At about 1.30pm on Thursday 11 August, police located and seized the cannabis plants and a substantial amount of equipment being used to cultivate the plants.

Police will allege the cannabis plants were growing in the open and under hydroponic conditions in sheds.

A 51-year-old man who lives at the house was arrested and charged with cultivating a large commercial quantity of cannabis.

The man was released on bail to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on the 14 September 2011.

Police are continuing their enquiries to determine if any other person was involved in the cultivation of the plants.​

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Drug arrests, Warwick

Officers from Warwick Criminal Investigation Branch charged a man and woman with drug offences following police raids on two local properties today.

Police executed search warrants at a home in Ross Street, Warwick and one in Thanes Creek Road, Thanes, early this morning with officers allegedly locating cannabis.

An 18-year-old Warwick man has been charged with possession of a dangerous drug and possession of a utensil, while a 56-year-old Warwick woman was charged with possession of a dangerous drug.

Both are due to appear in the Warwick Magistrates Court on September 13.

A 16-year-old boy was dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justices Act.​

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WA seeks mandatory sentencing for clan lab injuries

The Western Australian Government has announced plans to introduce mandatory jail terms for adults who injure children in clandestine drug laboratories.

The proposed changes to the Misuse of Drugs Act will be introduced into the WA Parliament this week.

Under the changes, anyone who injures a child under the age of 16 by exposing them to chemicals, or a drug lab explosion, will be sentenced to at least 12 months' jail.

The changes come after police last week found the 120th illegal drug laboratory in Western Australia this year.

The Law Society of Western Australia has described the proposed new laws as "unnecessary" and "inappropriate".

The society's Hylton Quail says the proposed laws are not needed.

"The Court of Appeal last week directed judges that sentences of imprisonment are appropriate for clan labs, so it's completely unnecessary now for the Minister to bring in yet another mandatory sentencing law," he said.

"You don't need to tell judges, you don't need to impose mandatory sentences, courts know this and they'll act on it."

Police Minister Rob Johnson has defended the changes, saying it is crucial that children are protected.

"Defence lawyers have always been opposed to the tougher laws that we've brought in," Mr Johnson said.

"They spend their life getting people off and keeping them out of jail.

"I spend my life trying to catch criminals and indeed putting them in jail, and I know which one serves the community better."​

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Cannabis seized in routine traffic stop at Eucla

Police at Eucla near the West Australian border with South Australia have seized seven kilograms of cannabis after stopping a car for a routine traffic stop.

The South Australian-registered hire car was stopped yesterday afternoon and the driver agreed to let police search the vehicle.

It is alleged they found 11 bags of cannabis.

A 48-year-old woman from South Australia is due to appear in the Kalgoorlie Magistrate's court today charged with possession of cannabis with intent to sell or supply.​

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[JoshE]

Guns, drugs and stolen goods seized in suburban raids

POLICE have seized knives, machetes, hand made guns and drugs during a series of raids on homes in Perth's northern suburbs at the weekend targeting mid level drug dealers.

Stolen property was also seized resulting in a total of 57 charges against 12 people.

Operation Balboa involved raids on homes in Dianella, Hamersley and Morley.

A search of a house in Boulton St in Dianella allegedly found a garage that was being used to modify and manufacture firearms.

A loaded hand made firearm was allegedly located in the bedroom of this home as was a large quantity of unlicensed ammunition.

Stolen property such as electrical equipment and jewellery and prohibited drugs were allegedly found at an address in Coode St, Morley.

Police also seized a large amount of other stolen items including iphones, digital cameras, laptops and ipads at a Hamersley house.

Police say the ongoing operation is targeting mid level drug dealers.

Detective first class constable Kaye Townsend says more raids will be carried out in the future.

“The weapons that we seized are off the street now and hopefully we can get more in the future,” Det Townsend said.

“It’s extremely important for WA Police to take the drugs off the streets and make the streets safer.”

One kilogram of cannabis, methylamphetamine, ecstasy, heroin and synthetic cannabanoids were allegedly seized during the ten raids.

Other weapons allegedly seized include tasers, police batons, martial arts weapons, various gun parts and a spear gun.

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Underworld figure's son bailed on drug charges

The son of late Sydney underworld figure George Freeman has been granted bail with $1 million surety after being charged with drug offences.

Nightclub owner Adam Freeman, 28, was extradited from Thailand earlier this month over an alleged multi-million-dollar ecstasy ring.

Freeman handed himself in to police in Thailand after an arrest warrant was issued.

Police believe they can link him to a drug syndicate responsible for manufacturing almost 20 kilograms of ecstasy.

They say the drugs were seized during a random breath test stop near Tamworth in December.

Two men in the car were charged with drug offences, along with three men arrested after raids on a number of properties.

Freeman has denied any role in the drug supply. He has been charged with manufacturing a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug.​

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Man charged over alleged drug possession - Casula

Man charged over alleged drug possession - Casula

Police from the Liverpool Local Area Command have charged a man following the execution of a search warrant at a motel in Casula yesterday (Monday 15 August 2011).

Acting on information received, officers attended a motel on the Hume Highway at Casula where they saw a man leaving one of the rooms and get into his vehicle.

Officers followed the man and stopped him on Hoxton Park Road, Lurnea.

Police searched the man and his vehicle allegedly locating a large amount of cash.

He was placed under arrest and taken back to his room at the motel where a further search was conducted.

Police allegedly located an amount of Ice and cannabis, as well as drug paraphernalia.

The man was taken to Liverpool Police Station where he was charged with four counts of supply prohibited drug, two counts of possess prohibited drug, as well as goods in custody and deal with the proceeds of crime.

Police have also seized the man’s 2007 Holden Commodore pending further inquiries.

He was refused bail and will appear in Liverpool Local Court today.​

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Underworld figure's son bailed on drugs charge

Underworld figure's son bailed on drugs charge

Sydney nightclub owner Adam Freeman is due to face Tamworth Local Court in October, accused being involved in a drug syndicate where drugs were allegedly manufactured on a property at Werris Creek.

The 28-year-old son of late Sydney underworld figure George Freeman was extradited from Thailand after handing himself into police.

He has pleaded not guilty to being involved in a drug syndicate responsible for manufacturing almost 20 kilograms of ecstasy.

Police say the drugs, which have a street value of $3 million, were seized during a random breath test stop near Tamworth in December.

Another five men are charged with being involved in the syndicate.

A magistrate in Central Local Court has granted Freeman bail, with $1 million surety, noting the case against him is weak.​

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Indonesia cuts jail terms for Corby, Lawrence

Indonesia cuts jail terms for Corby, Lawrence

Australian drug traffickers Schapelle Corby and Renae Lawrence have had their Indonesian jail terms cut as part of the country's Independence Day celebrations.

Both women have been jailed to 20 years in Bali's Kerbokan prison.

Corby has had her sentence reduced by five months and Renae Lawrence by six months respectively.

An official for Kerobokan prison says well-behaved prisoners traditionally receive sentence reductions on Independence Day.

Corby was found guilty of trafficking four of marijuana in 2005 while Lawrence is one of the so-called "Bali Nine," heroin smugglers.

Corby has always maintained her innocence and claims international drug smugglers placed the marijuana in her luggage.

Lawrence is one of the 'Bali Nine', a group of Australians convicted over a plot to smuggle 8.3 kilograms of heroin from Bali into Australia in 2005.​

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Killer who bashed man to death with hammer while on ice pleads guilty Read more: htt

Killer who bashed man to death with hammer while on ice pleads guilty

A MAN who bashed a grandfather to death with a hammer after taking the drug ice for the first time has pleaded guilty to murder and intentionally causing serious injury midway through his Supreme Court trial.

Within hours of taking the drug, Fergal Patrick Downey, 36, of Carnegie, cycled to the nearby home of his friends Kenneth Rolfe, 53, and Mr Rolfe’s de facto wife, Carol Hellman, 61, and attacked them both with the hammer.

The jury had been told it was not disputed that Downey attacked the couple but the main issue at trial was his mental state at the time.
Police tracked Downey down thanks to Ms Hellman, who managed to trace the name Fergal on her thigh in blood as she lay severely injured.
Downey bludgeoned Mr Rolfe to death in his backyard.

Mr Rolfe was hit a number of times to the head and neck and died almost immediately.
Downey chased Ms Hellman inside and demanded to know where the couple’s savings were kept before attacking her with the hammer.

The couple’s grandson, aged 15, ran to a neighbour’s house to raise the alarm.
Downey had originally pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, attempted murder and an alternative of intentionally causing serious injury.
Defence counsel David Hallowes had told the jury that his client was mentally impaired at the time.​

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Police find drugs in 'secret room'

Police find drugs in 'secret room'

More than 200 kilograms of vacuum-packed cannabis have been found in a hidden room in a house at Thebarton in Adelaide, police say.

Police raided the house yesterday and say they also found $22,000 in cash, with a further $167,000 seized from premises at Mile End.

A man and a woman have been charged.

Police say the raids will disrupt a major cannabis growing syndicate that was trafficking the drug interstate.

Assistant Commissioner Grant Stevens says police expect to make more arrests.

"The investigation is continuing with inquiries being conducted on a rural property north of Port Wakefield and we have police there art the moment and at this point we have uncovered evidence that preparations were being made for another substantial cannabis production activity," he said.​

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Police raid linked to Comanchero bikie gang

Police raid linked to Comanchero bikie gang

A man with close links to the Comanchero motorcycle gang has been arrested after a raid on his house in suburban Madeley.

The 25 year old man been charged with a string of offences, including possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell or supply and possession of firearms.

Police seized more than 100 grams of the drug, two pistols and $60,000 in cash.

Detective Superintendent Charlie Carver alleges the man has been actively involved in the distribution of drugs in WA.

"And you've got to ask the question why these gang members continually have firearms on their person or in their houses - for protection," he said.

"We are continuing to dismantle or disrupt their activities and it is a big bonus for the community of West Australia that these pistols have been taken off the streets."​

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