The Australian/NZ Drug Busts Mega-Thread Part Triforce

[poledriver]

Law enforcement partnership results in seizure of largest cocaine shipment this year

^^^

Law enforcement partnership results in seizure of largest cocaine shipment this year

The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) delivered a blow to the drug trade in Australia with the seizure of 271kg of cocaine secreted in a shipment of lawnmowers.

The cocaine, with a street value of approximately $200 million, is estimated to be the fifth largest seizure of the drug in Australia. This represents the largest seizure of cocaine in Victorian history.

Last night, AFP members, with assistance from Victoria Police, executed search warrants in Melbourne and arrested three men. The 20-year-old Melbourne man and two Chinese nationals, aged 33 and 35, are scheduled to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court today, charged with importing and attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.

On 19 August 2011, a shipping container from Brazil said to contain eight ride-on lawnmowers was targeted for inspection at the Melbourne Container Examination Facility. It was subject to container x-ray inspection with Customs and Border Protection officers identifying anomalies.

Subsequent physical examination and further x-ray of the contents by Customs and Border Protection officers revealed a number of wooden boxes (total of 29 boxes) located inside each ride-on lawnmower crate.

The wooden boxes contained a total of 271 vacuum-sealed plastic bags wrapped in tape. Preliminary testing of a white powder contained in the plastic bags indicated the presence of cocaine.

The AFP completed a controlled delivery of 60kg of cocaine from the original importation to an address in the Melbourne CBD which led to the arrest of a male and the seizure of $229,100 in cash.

Customs and Border Protection National Manager Sea Cargo and International Mail, Graham Krisohos, said the fact that these harmful and illicit drugs did not reach the streets of Australia is significant.

“This seizure is an outstanding success for Australian authorities and provides yet more proof that the Government’s strategy on combating organised crime is working – this is just not rhetoric - we are making a difference,” Mr Krisohos said.

“I congratulate the Customs and Border Protection officers at the Melbourne Container Examination Facility for their excellent work in identifying the concealed drugs, because due to their expertise a very significant outcome was achieved”.

AFP National Manager Crime Operations Ramzi Jabbour said the successful outcome of this investigation is an excellent example of the collaboration between Australian law enforcement agencies targeting serious and organised crime.

“The Australian Federal Police continues to work with other law enforcement agencies to disrupt the operations of these organised crime syndicates and bring these individuals to justice,” Assistant Commissioner Jabbour said.

“Australian law enforcement is more united and better equipped than ever in the fight against organised crime. This seizure and subsequent arrests are another example of our commitment to combating these criminal groups that jeopardise the health and safety of the Australian community.”

The maximum penalty for importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug is life imprisonment and/or an $825,000 fine.​

here

 

[poledriver]

Drug Clan Lab located at Munno Para West

Drug Clan Lab located at Munno Para West

Police attended an address at Munno Para West today and located a clandestine laboratory.

The laboratory was not operating and has subsequently been dismantled and the premises made safe.

A 23-year-old man from Munno Para West was and subsequently charged with manufacturing a controlled drug.

He has been bailed to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on 19 October 2011.​

here

 

[Jabberwocky]

Jim Kioussis planted a cannabis crop the size of the SCG

Hundreds of potted cannabis plants were found in bushland in the Southern Highlands state forest in one of the most brazen and elaborate drug-making operations in NSW.

Even more staggering is that one man, Dimitrios “Jim” Kiousis, 58, was behind the cultivation of thousands of cannabis seedlings, building dams and installing gravity-operated irrigation pipes on the camouflaged crop.

The Penshurst man, previously busted for cultivating 2.7 tonnes of marijuana, will begin his five-year sentence tomorrow after he was convicted in the Downing Centre District Court for growing and supplying cannabis.

While locals and holiday-makers enjoyed the bike and walking trails of Meryla State Forest near Moss Vale, Kiousis spent a year living in bushland where he built a hut with two beds and a kitchen.

Police told the court that, at 7500 sq m the operation near the Gunrock Creek Fire Trail was the size of a football field.
It had four dams, 3.5km of pipes and hundreds of metres of netting to hide it from the air.

Police surveillance photos showed the site was dotted with 538 “plant structures” which were later found to be cannabis plants.

Kiousis even installed gravity irrigation fed from Gunrock Creek.

He was spending so much time with his crops that he built a “bush shack” with an “open plan room with two beds and makeshift kitchen facilities”, police documents said.

And he dug six large pits that were lined with black plastic and filled with “a growing compound”.

Police swooped on the plantation after a tip-off. But they had to find it first.

“It was pretty hard to find. It took a while,” a source told The Sunday Telegraph.

After trekking through hundreds of metres of thick scrub, police found Kiousis preparing plant mix for a future harvest.

When police asked what he was doing, Kiousis allegedly replied: “Working.”

He was then arrested at gunpoint by police.

A later search found 8000 cannabis seeds, more than 1000 seedling pots, seedling trays and a .22 calibre rifle wrapped in a Star City T-shirt.

Police also searched Kiousis's home in Penshurst, finding receipts for the equipment on the site, hand-written shopping lists for more equipment and instructions on how to install it.

They also found a receipt under his bed for the many seedling trays found at the forest site and a business card for a hydroponic shop in Wetherill Park.

Police made inquiries with the businesses, which confirmed Kiousis had bought the equipment from them.

Kiousis was ordered to serve five years in prison, with a non-parole period of two-and-a-half years.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/royal-national-pot-crop-revealed/story-e6freuy9-1226139930034

 

[Jabberwocky]

Ex-officer 'had 23kg of ecstasy'

September 18, 2011

A former police officer has been arrested and charged with supplying 23 kilograms of ecstasy tablets.

Mark Andrew Novotny, 39, was picked up by officers from the Organised Crime (Targeting) Squad on September 1 and appeared in Hornsby Local Court the following day.

A police statement tendered in court said Mr Novotny was now a private investigator living in Queensland. The Sun-Herald has learnt he came to the notice of NSW police some years ago when he was named in an intelligence report as an associate of a notorious Kings Cross identity.
Advertisement: Story continues below

The statement said he had recently ''been [the] subject of physical surveillance making a number of interstate trips between Queensland and New South Wales''.

It revealed that Mr Novotny was under surveillance when he arrived in Sydney from Coolangatta on the morning of September 1.

It said he had hired a red Holden Commodore and drove straight to the car park of a Parramatta hotel.

''The accused took physical possession of two cardboard boxes from an unidentified person,'' the statement said.

He then allegedly put the boxes in the boot and drove to the car park of a liquor store store in Pennant Hills, where he was stopped by police who discovered the boxes.

''Inside each of the two cardboard boxes were five resealable plastic bags containing significant quantities of pink tablets, 10 bags in total.''

After he was taken to Hornsby police station, Mr Novotny declined to be interviewed.

Police said the 10 bags weighed 2.3 kilograms each and that the tablets, believed to be ecstasy, were now being analysed.

Mr Novotny was refused bail.

Neil Mercer

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/exofficer-had-23kg-of-ecstasy-20110917-1kezc.html#ixzz1YE6FjtbA

 

[poledriver]

87 detected with illegal drugs at dance music festival - Penrith

87 detected with illegal drugs at dance music festival - Penrith

Police have charged a number of people following a dance music festival held at Penrith last night.

The festival was held at the Sydney International Rowing Centre between 10:00am and 10:00pm (Saturday 17 September 2011) and attracted a crowd of approximately 18,500 people.

Officers from Penrith Local Area Command, the North West Metropolitan Region and the Dog Squad monitored the behaviour of festival goers throughout the day.

The police operation targeted anti-social behaviour, drug and alcohol offences and public safety.

During the operation police conducted 550 person searches while there were also 87 drug detections.

81 people were issued court attendance notices for drug possession with the majority of drugs seized being ecstasy and cocaine.

Six people were arrested and charged with supplying a prohibited drug while one person was charged with assaulting police.

275 people received medical treatment for drug and heat related illnesses with seven of those people taken to Nepean Hospital for further treatment.

Meanwhile 30 people were ejected from the festival for intoxication or anti-social behaviour and five motorists returned positive drug-driving tests.

A number of other offences including goods in custody and licensing breaches were detected with investigations into those matters continuing.​

here

 

[poledriver]

Australian in Bali jail on drugs charges

Australian in Bali jail on drugs charges

A Darwin man is in custody in Bali after being found allegedly in possession of a small amount of methamphetamine.

The man, identified by police as Michael Graeme Pollock, was detained in the early hours of Saturday in Kuta, said a spokesman from Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
He is yet to be formally arrested but is being investigated under Indonesian Narcotic Law. He could face a long term in prison if convicted of possession.

Indonesian police spokesman Hariadi said Pollock was arrested with a package containing 0.64g of methamphetamine, commonly known in Indonesia as shabu shabu.
"His name is Michael Graeme Pollock, 31, from Darwin. It's true that this Australian citizen was caught with drugs," Hariadi said.
"He's caught at 2am Bali time this Saturday on a street in tourist area of Kuta."

Indonesia has tough laws for drugs possession, with penalties of up to 12 years in prison.​

here

 

[poledriver]

Trio facing drugs charges

Trio facing drugs charges

Three people are facing drugs charges after a series of weekend raids in Melbourne's south-east.

Police say banned chemicals, cash and cannabis were found at homes in Dandenong, Noble Park and Doveton.

Two men will appear in the Dandenong Magistrates Court today.

A woman has been remanded to appear at a later date.​

here

 

[poledriver]

Drug-affected driver Richelle Varney fined $500 for killing Guy Carlsen

Drug-affected driver Richelle Varney fined $500 for killing Guy Carlsen

A DRUG user who mowed down a man after blacking out at the wheel of her four-wheel-drive has walked away from his death with just a $500 fine.
Expert evidence revealed Richelle Varney had levels of methylamphetamine - known as the drug ice - "within the reported fatal range" when she slammed into Guy Carlsen as he and his fiancee Kathryn Davis stopped briefly on their way home from work, The Daily Telegraph reported.

But the court did not take into account Varney's regular drug use, acquitting her of dangerous driving occasioning death because she had undiagnosed epilepsy.
District Court Judge Robert Toner ruled Varney probably suffered a seizure shortly before the crash.

In his judgment, Justice Toner also banned Varney from driving for five months after she pleaded guilty to driving while drugged.
But the decision has enraged Ms Davis, who said it was unbelievable that the court had virtually ignored Varney's drug use and that she cannot forgive the woman for getting behind the wheel in that condition.

"If this was a normal 42-year-old woman who did not do drugs, that it was purely an accident, and (she) was genuinely remorseful, perhaps I could forgive her," she said.
"But she came up to Guy's mother after the sentence and said, 'It wasn't my fault'. "She was still not even prepared to say so much as sorry."

When contacted, Varney, a 42-year-old landscape gardener from Alexandria, said she had "done nothing wrong".
"I was having an epileptic fit. The drugs have got nothing to do with it," she said. "I wasn't guilty because I was having a fit, people need to understand that."
Varney ploughed her Holden four-wheel-drive into Mr Carlsen as he and Ms Davis stopped to pick up a pizza for dinner on November 4, 2009.
Ms Davis said Mr Carlsen had tried to push her out of the way before he was hit and died in front of her.

Justice Toner described the case as a "tragedy of the first order" and said Mr Carlsen "was entirely blameless".
The trial heard that Varney believed she was safe to drive despite telling the court of repeated "turns" or "blackouts" in the months prior to the crash.
Prosecutor Patrick Barrett conceded the immediate cause of the accident was that Varney had suffered an epileptic seizure but claimed she should have known it was dangerous to drive while suffering blackouts.

Three doctors had told the court the most likely cause of the crash was epilepsy, one saying Varney would not have been able to drive safely. But no doctor had told her not to drive.
Judge Toner said that there was no dispute that at the time of the crash Varney was affected by a significant concentration of methylamphetamine.
Expert Judith Perl said this was "highly suggestive of recent heavy use and the manner of driving and symptoms displayed by the accused was indicative of effects consistent with methylamphetamine".

But the judge noted the crown specifically rejected drug intoxication as being a cause of the accident.
"The crown's case in that regard is that the accused knew that she was, at the time, suffering from a condition which caused turns or blackouts, the onset of which was unpredictable," Judge Toner said.

There was no evidence before him linking the drug use to the seizures.
A spokeswoman for the DPP said the crown would not appeal.
"His Honour made findings that were open to him and there are no grounds for appeal," she said.
Varney said she had told the victim's sister at court she would "swap places" with Mr Carlsen if she could "because this has ruined my life".​

here

 

[poledriver]

Australian Graeme Michael Pollock on Bali drug charge in balaclava

Australian Graeme Michael Pollock on Bali drug charge in balaclava

Graeme Michael Pollock, arrested in Kuta with what police allege is 0.4 grams net of methamphetamine, now faces drug possession charges which carry a 12-year maximum term.

Today at Denpasar Police headquarters Pollock, 31, was brought to a press conference wearing a black balaclava supplied to him by police to hide his face.

Police said they had told him to don the face covering.

He did not answer any questions about his predicament, telling the media he had no comment to make.

Pollock, a factory hand from Darwin, had been in Bali for two days on holiday and to attend his brother's wedding before his arrest in a Kuta street about 1am on Friday morning.

Today he was visited in the police holding cells by his father and Australian consular officials as well as a doctor.

Police spokesman, Snr supt Hariadi said that Pollock had told police during interrogations that he had been addicted to drugs for eight years.

Snr supt Hariadi said that when Pollock was approached that it would be alleged he was holding a small package in his right hand.

"Once police asked him to lift his hand up he dropped the drug," snr supt Hariadi said.

He said the substance had been wrapped in white tissue and contained 0.64 grams gross and 0.4 grams net of methamphetamine, which is known here as shabu shabu.

Snr supt Hariadi said that under interrogation Pollock had admitted buying the drug in Kuta for 2.8 million rupiah and had withdrawn the money from an ATM to pay.

Currently police are holding Pollock under drug possession laws however it is possible he will eventually face less serious charges designed for drug addicts foe which the penalty is four years maximum for personal use of drugs.

Another Australian, Ricky Shane Rawson, was last week sentenced to four months jail for possession of 0.06 grams of methamphetamine. With time served he is due out of jail sometime this week after which he will face immediate deportation.

A doctor visited Pollock early today and told officials he was addicted to drugs and needed medication. Prescribing him Xanax.

Police also took urine samples from him today for testing for drug use.

The case is still being investigated and there is no provision for bail, meaning that Pollock will remain behind bars until any trial, which could take up to three months to be heard.​

here

 

[poledriver]

Two charged after chemist allegedly robbed - Albion Park Rail

Two charged after chemist allegedly robbed - Albion Park Rail

A man and woman have been charged after the alleged armed robbery of a chemist in Albion Park Rail last night.

About 8pm, a male and female, each armed with a syringe, entered the chemist on the Princes Highway and allegedly threatened the two staff members, demanding they open a safe.

The man and woman removed an amount of cash and drugs from the safe, and also allegedly stole money from the cash register before fleeing on foot. No one was injured.

Police from Lake Illawarra Local Area Command attended and established a crime scene.

About 9.25pm, police were called to a car park of a hotel on Wentworth Street, Shellharbour, after car was seen crashing into a traffic island.

Police attended and located a 36-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman playing the poker machines in the hotel.

Police searched the pair and allegedly located drugs and cash.

They were taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station and subsequently charged with armed robbery. The 36-year-old was also charged with drive whilst disqualified.

They were both refused bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court today (20 September 2011).​

here

 

[poledriver]

Police bust drug lab in Baldivis

Police bust drug lab in Baldivis

Police have raided another alleged suburban drug lab in Perth.

Officers armed with a warrant searched a house in Baldivis yesterday and say they found items consistent with the manufacture of methylamphetamine.

A 25 year-old man is helping police from the Organised Crime Squad with their inquiries.

It takes the number of drug labs found so far this year to 147.​

here

 

[poledriver]

Police bust $70m ecstasy oil smuggling ring

Police bust $70m ecstasy oil smuggling ring

Police have arrested three Sydney men after they were found hiding a banned precursor substance that could have been used to produce more than $70 million worth of ecstasy.

The joint investigation between Federal Police and Customs found the men were concealing more than 2,800 litres of safrole oil in hair and cleaning products in tanks from China.

The oil was intercepted in three shipments that arrived at Sydney's Port Botany between April and August.

Police say the bust deals a killer blow to a highly organised crime syndicate.

The three Australians were arrested during an operation involving more than 50 police officers in Sydney this morning.

They have been charged over the seizures and are due to front court tomorrow.

"This is a significant blow," Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Kevin Zuccato said.

"As far as I'm concerned, [this is] a lethal blow to this particular syndicate.

"When you look at the quantity, there was no backyard lab - this was a sophisticated super lab."​

here

 

[poledriver]

'Palatial' home housed large marijuana crop

'Palatial' home housed large marijuana crop

Victorian police say they were astonished to find marijuana plants growing in every room of a "palatial" home west of Melbourne last night.

The crop was uncovered following reports of a fire at the property at Point Cook yesterday evening.

Police spent the night dismantling the sophisticated hydroponic operation and took away over 300 plants.

They are trying to locate the occupants.

Detective John Johnston says it was an elaborate set-up.

"It's a two-storey home and there were plants growing on both floors of the property," he said.

"From the outside, the property just looks very normal and demonstrates to us, I suppose, that drugs can be found in unexpected circumstances."​

here

 

[poledriver]

Stun guns, drugs seized - Fairfield

Stun guns, drugs seized - Fairfield

Police have charged a man after stun guns, ammunition and prohibited drugs were seized from a Fairfield home yesterday.

Officers from Fairfield Local Area Command attended a home on Crosby Street, about 10.30am (Wednesday 20 September 2011), to speak to the occupants about an incident from the previous day.

Police spoke to a 39-year-old man before allegedly finding ammunition and an amount of heroin nearby.

The man was arrested and taken to Fairfield Police Station.

About 12.30pm, officers executed a search warrant at the home where they allegedly found and seized two improvised stun-guns, ammunition, further heroin, and an amount of methylamphetamine.

The man was subsequently charged with possess prohibited weapon; supply prohibited drugs; possess prohibited drugs; possess ammunition; and goods in custody suspected stolen.

He was refused bail to appear at Fairfield Local Court today (Thursday 22 September 2011).​

here

 

[poledriver]

Police discover booby-trapped cannabis plants

Police discover booby-trapped cannabis plants

Police in Geraldton in the Mid West region of Western Australia have uncovered a small cannabis crop that was protected by booby traps.

They raided a home in Ford Street, Wonthella yesterday and found 12 cannabis plants on the property.

Police say pieces of wood with long nails in them were buried in the ground around the plants.

A 54 year-old man is facing four drug charges and one charge of setting a booby trap.

He will appear in the Geraldton Magistrates Court on September 29.​

here

 

[poledriver]

Sacks of cannabis found dumped on roadside

Sacks of cannabis found dumped on roadside

Police are trying to work out who dumped about 40 bags of cannabis plant debris on the side of the road in Narangba, north of Brisbane.

A member of the public reported the find to the council, after the fertiliser sacks were left along along Lipscome Road overnight.

Police have seized the bags, which also contained drug-related property.​

here

 

[poledriver]

Cannabis houses discovered - Strike Force Grassy

Cannabis houses discovered - Strike Force Grassy

Two men will face court after police uncovered sophisticated hydroponic cannabis houses across Sydney yesterday.


Officers attached to Operation Grassy, comprising the Redfern Region Enforcement Squad, executed simultaneous search warrants on homes at Banksia, Picton, Casula and Ryde, about 2pm (Wednesday 21 September 2011).

It will be alleged police discovered elaborate hydroponic cannabis houses at each location with numerous rooms converted into special growing areas.

Police allegedly seized nearly 50 cannabis plants with an estimated potential street value of $92,000.

Officers also seized approximately 5kg of cannabis leaf, with a potential street value of $75,000, along with a large sum of cash.

Numerous hydroponic items were also seized and inquiries indicated electricity was allegedly being stolen for the operation.

A 37-year-old man was arrested at the Banksia address and St George Police Station.

A 39-year-old man was arrested at the home in Casula and taken to Liverpool Police Station.

Both men were subsequently charged with enhanced indoor cultivation of cannabis; deal in proceeds of crime; supply prohibited drugs; possess prohibited drugs.

The 37-year-old man was refused bail and is due to appear in Kogarah Local Court today (Thursday 22 September 2011).

The 39-year-old man was refused bail and is due to appear in Liverpool Local Court today (Thursday 22 September 2011).​

here

 

[poledriver]

Four arrested over three-state cannabis ring

Four arrested over three-state cannabis ring

A man is to face court charged with laundering more than $10 million and trafficking in a commercial quantity of cannabis.

The man, 43, from Highbury in Adelaide is among four people charged after police raids involving detectives from the Organised Crime Investigation branch.

About 40 detectives raided 10 houses, storage areas and businesses.

Police allege a syndicate had operated for years, growing and supplying commercial quantities of cannabis to the South Australian, Queensland and Victorian illegal drug markets.

Police will allege the arrested men were the organisers of a large-scale drug organisation.

The other arrests were two men, both 44 , from Lobethal and Woodside in the Adelaide Hills and a man, 32, from Andrews Farm in northern Adelaide.

Police also will allege the arrests are linked with the previous arrests of a truck driver in May and two Queensland residents last year.​

here

 

[poledriver]

Illegal drug lab near primary school

Illegal drug lab near primary school

Police have described a clandestine drug lab found in an inner city suburb, as one of the biggest they have seen.

Officers searched a house in Lincoln Street in Highgate and uncovered a large amount of chemicals and equipment.

The area has been cordoned off and traffic and pedestrians are being diverted, including children walking past on their way home from a nearby primary school.

Inspector Neil Blair from Police Operations says they found a man, two women and a seven year-old child in the home.

"As a result of the search they've looked in the roof space and found a significant amount of items and chemicals associated with the manufacture of amphetamines up there," he said.

A 37 year-old man is being questioned by police.

It is the 150th clan lab discovered in the state this year.​

here

 

[poledriver]

Police to target drugs at summer festivals

Dogs to sniff out drugs at festivals

If you think you can conceal ecstasy pills in sunscreen bottles and chewing gum packets, stop. Think. Is it really worth risking a criminal conviction?

Victoria Police is today warning party-goers that police will continue to target drugs at summer music festivals throughout the state, as the first of many kicks off this weekend.

Police will be conducting a Passive Alert Detection (PAD) dog operation at Parklife Music Festival tomorrow.

Acting Inspector Don Brown said police were aware of the types of concealments people used in an attempt to carry drugs into these events.

“We find people who have strapped drugs to their bodies and placed pills in sunscreen bottles or chewing gum packets,” A/Insp Brown said.

“Police are aware of these techniques, and we will be on the look-out for all drugs, no matter how well they are hidden.

“Our police dogs are skilled in the areas of tracking, searching, protecting life and property and their sense of smell is fifty times greater than that of humans.

A/Insp Brown said the drugs often seized at music festivals included ecstasy tablets, cocaine, speed and cannabis.

“Most people attend the festivals to enjoy the music and have a good time,” he said.

“There is this idea with some people that taking drugs enhances their day out, but in reality, they are potentially putting the health and safety of themselves and others at risk.

“People who are using drugs or thinking of using drugs must be aware of the consequences.

“There are heavy penalties associated with drug use and trafficking and a drug conviction is a black mark against your name that can never be removed. This can impact on future employment opportunities as well as travel to certain countries.”

Director of The Alfred's Emergency and Trauma Centre, Dr De Villiers Smit said those people taking drugs had an increased risk of injury, disease and death.

“Emergency departments often see the effects of an acute ingestion such as agitation, aggression, distortion of thinking, memory and perception, hallucinations and drowsiness as a result of drugs,” Dr De Villiers Smit said.

“It is not unusual for patients to present so deeply unconscious that they require airway support.”

Dr De Villiers Smit said there was also a strong association between ingestion of drugs and injury, which includes road trauma and assaults.​

here