The Australian/NZ Drug Busts Mega-Thread Part Triforce

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Drugs uncovered during routine traffic stop

Drugs uncovered during routine traffic stop

Police have arrested a 21-year-old man from Mt Barker for traffic a controlled drug following a traffic stop this morning.

Police spotted the man using his mobile phone whilst driving on South Road, Bedford Park at about 10.15am.

A subsequent search of the man's car uncovered what police will allege is about 30 grams of amphetamine.

The man was bailed to appear in Court at a later date.​

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Significant drug seizure at Whyalla

Significant drug seizure at Whyalla

A 37-year-old Whyalla Norrie man was arrested and charged for trafficking a controlled substance after an amount of amphetamine was found in his possession on Saturday.
Just after 5pm, Whyalla police stopped the man driving on the Lincoln Highway, just out of Whyalla and located three ounces of amphetamine in his possession which amounts to well over 800 street deals.

The seizure was part of an on-going drug investigation and enquiries continue.

The man appeared in the Whyalla Magistrate's Court today.​

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Man charged with importing cocaine in suitcases

Man charged with importing cocaine in suitcases

A 28-year-old Brazilian national will appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court today after being charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for attempting to
import approximately 2 kilograms of cocaine.

The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service examined the man’s suitcases when he arrived at Brisbane International Airport on a flight from Chile
via New Zealand on Saturday, 27 August 2011.

During the baggage examination, Customs and Border Protection officers found a substance concealed in the lining of the suitcases.

Preliminary testing of the substance indicated the presence of cocaine.

Further forensic testing will be undertaken to determine the exact weight and purity of the substance.

The man was referred to the AFP where he was charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely cocaine, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment and/or a $825,000 fine.​

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Large amount of heroin and cash seized. Two arrested

Large amount of heroin and cash seized. Two arrested

Police have arrested a man and a woman after a significant amount of heroin and cash were seized today.

Just after 12pm officers from Western Adelaide CIB stopped a car at Woodville North.

A search of the vehicle and surrounding area was conducted, and police allegedly located a package containing approximately 500 grams of a substance believed to be heroin.

As a result of this police then searched a house at Prospect and located $25,000 in cash.

500 grams of heroin equates to approximately 5000 deals.

A 72-year-old man and 52-year-old woman from Prospect were charged with traffic a commercial quantity of a controlled drug and unlawful possession.

They will appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on 7th of September 2011.​

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Woman arrested trying to reclaim lost dope

Woman arrested trying to reclaim lost dope

A New Zealand woman who lost a bag filled with cannabis was arrested when she tried to reclaim it as lost property from the local police station, media reported.

The bag, containing about 20 grams of marijuana separated in tinfoil wraps, a cannabis pipe and a mobile phone, was found at a ferry terminal in Picton on August 16, the Marlborough Express reported.

After it was handed over to police in the South Island town, the mobile phone rang and a male caller enquired about its whereabouts, so officers informed him it was at the Picton police station, the newspaper said.

Patricia Wright was arrested when she turned up at the station to reclaim the bag, immediately admitting the drugs and cannabis pipe were hers.

The 61-year-old received a six-month supervision order and was told to undergo counselling when she appeared in the Blenheim District Court on Monday.

Judge Peter Hobbs said Wright had a history of drug convictions, the newspaper said.​

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Man arrested after drugs, firearm and ammunition located - Ingleburn

Man arrested after drugs, firearm and ammunition located - Ingleburn

A man will face court today after police seized a large amount of drugs, a firearm and ammunition during a search warrants in Sydney’s western suburbs yesterday (Tuesday 30 August 2011).

About 2.30pm, police from the South West Metropolitan Region Enforcement Squad attached to SF Zambesi executed a search warrant at a home in Myra Place at Ingleburn..

Police will allege they seized 97 cannabis plants with an estimated potential street value of $194,000.

The home was in the process of being converted into a sophisticated hydroponic setup with only one room utilised at this time with the crop.

Police detained a man and two women at the premises but later released the two women pending further inquiries.

During a further search of the premises police located a handgun, a live round and two spent cartridges.

Police then attended the home of the 23-year-old man in Glassop Street, Yagoona and searched that premises also locating several more spent rounds of ammunition.

Several items were taken away for further forensic examination and the seized plants will be destroyed.

The 23-year-old Yagoona man was taken to Macquarie Fields Police Station and later charged with cultivate prohibited drug. Investigations are continuing in relation to the gun and ammunition.

He was refused bail overnight and will appear at Campbelltown Local Court today.​

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Arrests after warrants

Arrests after warrants

Police have arrested and charged three men, after a number of warrants were executed yesterday in Maribyrnong, Ascot Vale, Narre Warren, Maidstone and Altona.

The arrests were in relation to Operation Matador, which has been an ongoing investigation into drug manufacturing and trafficking.

Aiden Khodher from Maribyrnong and Wisam Dinah from Narre Warren faced an out of session’s court hearing last night and were remanded to face the Melbourne Magistrate’s Court this morning.

Both men were charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of a drug of dependence, possessing precursor chemicals, possessing tablet press and other drug related charges.

A 26-year-old Maidstone man was charged and bailed with possess a drug of dependence and other drug related offences.

A 25-year-old Altona man was released pending further enquiries.​

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Drug dealers may get life in prison

SENTENCING proceedings against two men who flooded Newcastle’s party scene with ecstasy have begun in Newcastle District Court this morning.
Ashley Novotny and Zachary Carmichael are facing maximum penalties of life imprisonment after they previously pleaded guilty to supplying a large commercial quantity of drugs.

The Newcastle men were part of a syndicate that provided thousands of ecstasy tablets to Newcastle partygoers.

Novotny has also pleaded guilty to money laundering that relates to $15,000 cash that was found in his home.​

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Polaris arrests two men and seizes more than 60 tonnes of illegal tobacco

Polaris arrests two men and seizes more than 60 tonnes of illegal tobacco

A joint law enforcement operation has charged two men with alleged importation and bribery offences following the seizure of more than 60 tonnes of illegal tobacco.

The investigation was conducted by Operation Polaris; a joint waterfront operation comprising the NSW Police Force, Australian Federal Police, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, Australian Crime Commission and the NSW Crime Commission.

Operation Polaris is a whole-of-government response targeting serious and organised criminal activity at New South Wales sea cargo terminals.

This morning Polaris officers executed simultaneous warrants in south-west Sydney and arrested two Belmore men aged 30 and 27. Police allege both men are main figures in the alleged syndicate.

It is alleged the men attempted to bribe a Commonwealth official for the purposes of importing more than 60 tonnes of illegal tobacco and almost 25 million counterfeit cigarettes. The Commonwealth official reported the matter.

The illegal imports had the potential to defraud the nation of more than $35million in tax revenue.

Operation Polaris Commander, Detective Superintendent Peter McErlain said the investigation highlighted the success of a multi-agency approach to disrupt criminality on the waterfront.

“As a result of the professionalism and good work of the Commonwealth Official in reporting the matter to authorities, police were able to launch an investigation and bring these people to justice.

“Operation Polaris will continue to target organised crime on the waterfront, including illicit drug importation, money laundering, proceeds of crime, container theft and corruption,” Det Supt McErlain said.

Officers under Operation Polaris today executed search warrants at Belmore, Greenacre Roselands and Lakemba; seizing nearly $450,000.

The two arrested men are in the process of being charged with:

Bribery of a Commonwealth public official, contrary to section 141.1 of the Criminal Code 1995. The maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years imprisonment and/or a $1.1million fine.
Dealing in proceeds of crime, money or property worth $1,000,000 or more, contrary to section 400.3 of the Criminal Code 1995. The maximum penalty for this offence is 25 years imprisonment and/or a $165,000 fine.
Obtain a financial advantage by deception, contrary to section 134.2 of the Criminal Code 1995. The maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years imprisonment.​

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Man charged for importing cocaine internally

Man charged for importing cocaine internally

A 36-year-old United States man is scheduled to appear in Sydney Central Local Court today charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for importing cocaine into Australia, concealed inside his body.

The man was stopped and questioned by Customs and Border Protection officers at Sydney International Airport, after he arrived on a flight from Argentina on Sunday 28 August.

During questioning, Customs and Border Protection officers became suspicious that he may have been concealing drugs internally.

The man was referred to the AFP and taken to hospital for medical examination.

It will be alleged in court that the man swallowed 100 pellets believed to contain cocaine, which he passed while in hospital.

Further forensic testing will be undertaken to confirm the exact weight and purity of the substance.

The man has been charged with importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug, contrary to section 307.2 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

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

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Ice worth $500,000 seized in car park

Ice worth $500,000 seized in car park

A man has been charged after police seized almost $500,000 worth of crystal methamphetamine, or ice, at a shopping centre car park in Sydney's inner west.

An investigation into the supply of crystal meth in inner Sydney led police to the 34-year-old yesterday afternoon.

He was arrested by a heavily armed tactical police unit in a shopping centre car park at Campsie.

Police say he was trying to sell two kilograms of ice for $465,000 at the time.

He has been refused bail to face Burwood Local Court today.​

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Two arrested for importing drugs - Whyalla

Two arrested for importing drugs - Whyalla

Following a lengthy investigation between SAPOL and Customs, police have made two arrests and seized 224 illegally imported tablets containing pseudoephedrine, which police will allege were to be used to manufacture methamphetamine.
Detectives from Whyalla CIB yesterday arrested a 42-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman both from Whyalla Stuart and charged them with importing a marketable quantity of border controlled precursor and attempt to possess a controlled precursor. This is a Major Indictable Commonwealth Offence.

The arrested man was also charged with providing false details on a bail application as well as breaching bail. He has been refused police bail and will appear in the Whyalla Magistrates Court today. The woman was bailed to appear in court at a later date.

This is considered to be a significant arrest by Whyalla CIB and will assist significantly in reducing the manufacturing of methamphetamine and subsequent drugs on the streets.​

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Police Commissioner's son to serve time

Police Commissioner's son to serve time

The son of Western Australia's Police Commissioner has been sentenced to 16 months' jail over his involvement in a clandestine drug laboratory in Perth.

Russell O'Callaghan, 30, is the son of Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan.

He was one of five people seriously injured when the lab exploded at a house in suburban Carlisle in March.

O'Callaghan pleaded guilty to attempting to manufacture methylamphetamine by assisting three other men to source the necessary chemicals and equipment.

The court heard while O'Callaghan had been addicted to amphetamines for many years, he had never before supplied them to others or been involved in their manufacture.

Since the explosion he has undergone treatment at a rehabilitation clinic.

District Court Judge Felicity Davis said her main consideration in handing down the sentence was to deter others from committing similar offences.

The Commissioner says it is a tough day to see his son going to jail.

"Since the explosion and him suffering burns and going into full-time rehab, he has made changes to himself, his health and his mental state that I haven't seen in the last 10 years," he said.

Mr O'Callaghan says while the penalty is fair, he has some concerns about his son's ongoing treatment.

"I just wanted to see him continue to get well. That was the important thing for me," he said.

O'Callaghan will be eligible for parole in eight months.​

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Two women arrested for drug possession in Alice Springs

Two women arrested for drug possession in Alice Springs

Two women were arrested at Alice Springs Airport yesterday for allegedly possessing heroin, ecstasy and methamphetamine following a joint Northern Territory Police and Australian Federal Police (AFP) operation.

The two women who flew in from Adelaide, were apprehended and searched after a drug detection dog reacted positively to them at the airport terminal. Members from the Northern Territory Drug Intelligence Unit and the AFP found a 38-year-old woman in possession of 32 grams of methamphetamine and a 44-year-old woman in possession of six grams of heroin and three and a half grams of ecstasy.

Members of the Northern Territory Drug Intelligence Unit executed a search warrant on the residence of the women with the assistance of the AFP.

Both women are scheduled to appear in Alice Springs Magistrates Court on 29 September.​

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Three arrested over drug lab fire

Three arrested over drug lab fire

Three men have been arrested over a fire at an alleged drug laboratory in Sydney's west.

New South Wales Hazardous Materials extinguished the fire at an industrial facility in Girraween yesterday morning.

Two men were arrested at the scene.

A 21-year-old was arrested last night and is expected to appear with the other men in court today charged with manufacturing prohibited drugs.​

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Man sentenced for helping Mokbel flee the country

Man sentenced for helping Mokbel flee the country

The man who helped drugs baron Tony Mokbel flee Australia has been sentenced to 11 years in prison.

The Victorian Supreme Court heard George Elias, of Bonnie Doon, first agreed to assist Mokbel's escape in a meeting on a bush track in 2006.

In sentencing Elias today, Justice Simon Whelan told him, he played a significant role in a "well-resourced criminal organisation."

"You permitted Mokbel to live on a property you part-owned in Bonnie Doon, you accompanied him in his journey from Victoria to Western Australia," he said.

"You assisted in the fit-out and preparation of the vessel upon which he left Australia, and you engaged in transactions that enabled him to live in Greece."

Mokbel was apprehended in 2007, but the delay in his case meant Elias has waited in custody for more than four years.

He pleaded guilty last October to attempting to pervert the court of justice, drug trafficking, dealing with the proceeds of crime and possessing unregistered firearms.

With time already served, Elias will be eligible for parole in less than four years.

Mokbel has not yet been sentenced.​

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Three charged over weapons and drugs seizure

Three charged over weapons and drugs seizure

Police from the Organised Crime Squad have seized firearms, drugs and cash after raiding properties linked to bikie gangs in Perth's northern suburbs.

They seized seven firearms, including a Chinese semi-automatic SKS rifle with a bayonet.

Detective Superintendent Charlie Carver says the assault rifle was designed for one purpose.

"And that's to kill people," he said.

"It is commonly used in places like Afghanistan, over in Iraq by the insurgents, and has been previously used in conflicts like the Vietnam war."

Police also seized $120,000 and a large amount of drugs and ammunition.

The raids took place in Carine, Maddeley and Malaga in the last week.

Superintendent Carver says a former patch member of the Rebels bikie gang and an associate of the Coffin Cheater bikie gang have been arrested over the hauls.

"Again, another indication that these people are dealing in drugs, firearms and anything they can get their hands on," he said.

"They pose a threat to the community and we will continue with out efforts to dismantle and disrupt their activities; that's exactly what we've done in this case."

A 22 year-old woman has also been charged with drug offences.​

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Six people arrested over alleged cocaine distribution - MEOCS

Six people arrested over alleged cocaine distribution - MEOCS

Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad detectives have arrested and charged six people following an investigation into alleged cocaine distribution syndicate.

Strike Force Gradwell comprises detectives from the State Crime Command’s Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad and was established to investigate the suspected commercial distribution of cocaine on a large scale basis in south-west Sydney.

About 9am yesterday (Tuesday 06 September, 2011), police executed 11 search warrants across south-western Sydney.

The six arrests include a 35-year-old man at George Hall, a 36 year-old-man at Villawood, a 40-year-old man at Fairfield, a 30-year-old man at Condell Park, a 25-year-old man at Condell Park, and a 27-year-old man at South Granville.

The 40-year-old Fairfield man was charged with supply prohibited drug and firearm offences.

The 25-year-old man arrested at Condell Park has been released pending further enquiries.

The other four were all charged with supply greater than large commercial quantity of prohibited drug and participate in criminal group. These four men were all refused bail to appear at Bankstown Local Court today.

Police also executed 11 search warrants at locations including Georges Hall, Villawood, Condell Park, Fairfield, Chester Hill, Granville Breakfast Point, and Yagoona.

In total, during the 11 search warrants police located and seized a quantity of cocaine, a small quantity of cannabis, a rifle, a shotgun, a quantity of ammunition, about $250,000 cash, phones, clothing, and relevant documentation.

Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad Acting Commander, Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Jones said, “Today’s operation has resulted in arrests of people who police will allege were involved in the distribution of large quantities of cocaine in Sydney’s south-west.

“The NSW Police Force is committed to targeting drug and firearm related crime and this operation has seen the seizure of cocaine as well as a rifle and shotgun,” Det A/Supt Jones said.​

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Sydney police smash $10m cocaine ring

Sydney police smash $10m cocaine ring

Five men have been charged over a multi-million dollar cocaine dealing network allegedly operating in Sydney's west and south-west.

The Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad has been investigating the group for a year.

They believe the group has distributed $10 million worth of cocaine across Sydney.

Officers raided 11 properties about 9:00am (AEST) yesterday at locations including Georges Hall, Villawood, Condell Park, Fairfield, Chester Hill, Granville, Breakfast Point and Yagoona.

Police say cocaine, a smaller quantity of cannabis, a rifle, shotgun, ammunition and $250,000 cash were among the items seized during the raids.

Six men, aged between 25 and 40, were arrested during the raids.

A 25-year-old man was released after questioning.

Four of the men have been charged with supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and participating in a criminal group.

They were held in custody overnight to face court today.

The sixth man, aged 40, was charged with supplying a prohibited drug and firearm offences.​

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$1m cannabis haul from Sydney house

$1m cannabis haul from Sydney house

Police have seized more than $1 million worth of cannabis during a raid on a home in Sydney's south-west.

Officers raided the house on Henry Lawson Drive at Georges Hall about 11:00am (AEST) yesterday.

Police say all but one room of the house had been modified to grow or process hydroponic cannabis.

In one room officers allegedly found 86 cannabis plants, with another 43 immature plants being propagated in the bathroom.

Police say two rooms were being used to dry out the cannabis heads.

In addition to the 129 plants police say they found 111 kilograms of harvested cannabis.

The search also allegedly uncovered five shotguns and one kilogram of a white powder also thought to contain an illegal drug.

A 24-year-old man and 28-year-old woman were arrested at the house.

The man, a Vietnamese national, has been charged with offences including cultivating a commercial quantity of an illegal drug.

He was kept in custody overnight to face court today.

The woman, from Korea, was charged with concealing a serious offence and being on a drug premises.

She was released on bail to face court later this month.​

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