Rebels nominee arrested following steroids seizure
Rebels nominee arrested following steroids seizure
An alleged nominee of the Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang has been charged with the importation and possession of steroids following a co-operative operation by Customs and Border Protection and the Gang’s Squad’s Strike Force Raptor.
Earlier this week, Customs and Border Protection intercepted a package from China through international mail containing 50 packets of anabolic steroids. Each packet contained 50 capsules of the prescribed restricted substance.
With the package destined for Sydney’s south, the NSW Police Force was notified and Strike Force Raptor officers replaced the contents with an inert substance.
Yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 26 October 2011), the package was delivered to a supplement store in Croydon Street, Cronulla, with officers from Strike Force Raptor raiding the premises a short time later.
A 26-year-old man alleged to be a Rebels nominee was arrested at the store, and a further small amount of steroids was seized.
A subsequent search warrant on a home at Lynch Avenue, Caringbah, resulted in a small amount of steroids and other items being seized
The 26-year-old man was taken to Miranda Police Station and charged with importing a prohibited import and possessing a prescribed restricted substance. He was granted bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court on 17 November 2011.
Inquiries into a second resident who was not home at the time of the warrant are continuing.
Strike Force Raptor was established by the State Crime Command’s Gangs Squad in 2009 and is a proactive, high-impact operation targeting outlaw motorcycle gangs and their alleged associated criminal enterprises.
Police have charged a 26-year-old local man with drug related offences after the alleged discovery of a clandestine laboratory in Delan.
A search warrant was executed on a Purkis Corner residence around 2.30 this afternoon where it is alleged a clandestine laboratory was found.
Equipment was seized by police, and the man was charged with producing a dangerous drug, unlawful possession of relevant substances and possession of utensils.
The man is due to appear in the Bundaberg Magistrates Court on November 14.
Tasmanian police have laid charges against two people after they found an illegal drug laboratory on a property near Launceston.
Police say they found a laboratory when they raided a property at St Leonards.
A man and woman from St Leonards, both aged 32, have been charged with trafficking a controlled substance and manufacturing a controlled drug for sale.
The woman has been bailed to appear in court at a later date and the man will appear in court this morning.
Launceston police have also charged a man over a unit fire early yesterday morning.
A unit above a business premises in York Street was significantly damaged in the fire.
In the state's south, police blocked off streets and chased three men over fences and through yards on Hobart's eastern shore last night.
A car containing property from break-ins at Tinderbox and Pelverata earlier in the day was found in the area in which the men were caught.
They have been charged with three counts of home burglary and three counts of stealing.
Drugs detected in state-wide random drug testing operation
Drugs detected in state-wide random drug testing operation
The Queensland Police Service Roadside Drug Testing Unit undertook state-wide operations starting on Friday October 21 and concluding at midnight on Sunday October 23.
Over 400 tests were conducted on the weekend with 22 drivers returning positive tests, which equates to 1 in 18 drivers.
Acting Chief Superintendent Andy Morrow from the State Traffic Support Branch said the Roadside Drug Testing Unit is able to set up sites and operations based on intelligence and information, at any location within Queensland with short notice.
“Our focus is on road safety and protecting the lives of all road users. We concentrate on detecting and stopping drug-affected drivers on our roads, with the purpose of protecting members of our community from people driving under the influence of drugs.
“Driving when affected by illicit drugs is not only illegal, but irresponsible. You put your life, and the lives of innocent people at risk. Drivers need to be able to concentrate and observe their surroundings when they are behind the wheel, and drugs hinder judgment and reflexes, and the result can be tragic,” Acting Chief Superintendent Morrow said.
The Queensland Police Service has performed over 66400 roadside drug tests in total with over 1550 drivers testing positive to a relevant drug including amphetamine, Cannabis and Ecstasy.
Fines of up to $1400 have been issued by the courts for driving under the influence of a drug accompanied by disqualification of driver licences.
A Tauranga businessman and his daughter have appeared in court on serious drugs charges following an armed police raid yesterday.
Gary Read - who legally manufactured party pills containing the chemical BZP before opening a 24-hour cafe in Tauranga - appeared in Tauranga District Court today facing drugs charges of including possessing the drug ephredrine and methamphetamine for supply and importing a Class B drug into the country.
The 44-year-old's daughter Kahsharn Read, 24, faces related charges including conspiring to import ephedrine.
A third defendant, 28-year-old Jade Brady, has been charged with possession of methamphetamine and cannabis.
The three were arrested as part of a joint investigation also involving Customs and the Organised and Financial Crime Agency of New Zealand, which culminated with an armed offenders squad raid in Tauranga yesterday afternoon.
About 200gms of methamphetamine with a street value of $100,000 was recovered along with 1.5kg of ephredrine, its precursor chemical, in what police now suspect to be part of an international drug ring.
The court heard how another parcel has been intercepted in Auckland, however their lawyer, Paul Mabey, questioned whether Read was involved.
OFCANZ Detective Inspector Grant Wormald said the arrests came as the direct result of ongoing investigations which lead to the importation being identified by Customs.
Judge Thomas Ingram remanded Gary Reid in custody to next appear on Monday.
His daughter and Brady have been released on bail with night time curfews until October 19.
Rockhampton detectives have charged a man following investigations into the discovery of an alleged clandestine drug laboratory in Rockhampton on October 26.
The clandestine drug laboratory was allegedly discovered after police executed a search warrant at a Fitzroy Street address.
A 35-year-old Yeppoon man has been charged with producing dangerous drugs, permitting use of place, possessing relevant substances or things, possession of a prohibited combination of items and possessing anything used in the commission of crime. He is expected to appear at Rockhampton Magistrates Court tomorrow (Saturday).
PROMINENT barristers Don Grieve, QC, and his wife, Dixie Coulton, have put up $500,000 each to secure bail for Ms Coulton's brother Mark, who was arrested for conspiring to import a commercial quantity of illegal drugs.
Mark Coulton, not to be confused with the federal MP of the same name, is a 51-year-old former playboy from Palm Beach.
Mr Coulton, who has been involved in various importing businesses, was arrested by federal police last week. He is accused of being the leader of a group which was conspiring to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.
Mr Coulton and three others were arrested before the alleged importation occurred and Central Local Court heard last week that the exact nature of the illegal substance was ''currently unknown'' and that the case against the businessman was ''very circumstantial''.
Barrister Charles Waterstreet, who represented Mr Coulton, said his client had never previously faced drug charges. He also asked for bail on the grounds that Mr Coulton's wife was gravely ill.
Although the prosecution claimed Mr Coulton was a flight risk, he was granted bail after his brother-in-law Mr Grieve and sister Dixie, a former deputy lord mayor, offered to forfeit $1 million if Mr Coulton failed to comply with his bail conditions.
On top of their million-dollar surety, his bail conditions stipulate that Mr Coulton has to live with the couple in their Paddington home until the matter returns to court on February 14.
His other bail conditions include that he not associate with his co-accused or known witnesses, he must report to Surry Hills police three times a week, surrender his passport and is not to go within one kilometre of any airport.
A Dannevirke man has been arrested after he was found growing more than 800 cannabis plants in a garage.
Police acting on a public tip-off yesterday searched an Otope Rd address and found 699 cannabis seedlings and 164 more mature plants in a sophisticated growing room.
The plants would have an estimated street value of between $500,000 to $2.5 million if grown to maturity and harvested.
Detective Sergeant Graham Perks said the haul demonstrated the value of public assistance in solving crime.
A 28-year-old man was due to appear in Palmerston North District Court today.
Man accused of supplying $230million in heroin added to the state's Most Wanted list
Man accused of supplying $230million in heroin added to the state's Most Wanted list
Sunday, 30 October 2011 04:56:22 AM
**Editor’s note: Images of Hakan Ayik, as well as images of the drugs, are available by contacting the Police Media Unit on (02) 8263 6100**
A 31-year-old Sydney man with links to the Comancheros outlaw motorcycle gang is the latest addition to the NSW Police Force’s Most Wanted list.
Hakan Ayik, also known as Hakan Avik and Joseph Ayuk, is wanted following the issuing of three arrest warrants for charges relating to the supply of a large quantity of heroin in Sydney.
Operation Hoffman – comprising officers from NSW Police, Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Crime Commission – was established in 2009 to investigate drug importation and money laundering.
Investigations uncovered a multi-million dollar crime syndicate, with more than 28kg of heroin seized as a result of Operation Hoffman. The heroin had an estimated potential street value of $32million.
The warrants were issued for Ayik’s arrest in relation to alleged offences relating to the seizure as well as the supply of a further 174kg of the drug, allegedly imported into the country with a potential street value of close to $200million.
“Ayik left Australia in February 2010 and arrived in Korea in July of that year. He was arrested in Cyprus in late 2010 and was granted bail however his whereabouts have been unknown since” said Detective Sergeant Gary Lowe.
Police are now urging anyone who knows his whereabouts, or has any information, to come forward.
Ayik is described as being of Middle Eastern / Mediterranean appearance, 175cm to 180cm tall, of solid/muscular build, with an olive complexion, brown eyes and black hair.
Detectives are also reminding the public that any person who may know of Mr Ayik’s whereabouts, or who may be involved in assisting him to evade authorities, could face charges of hindering a police investigation.
Mandurah Detectives have made a major drug seizure following two search warrants today (Saturday 29th October 2011) in the Peel District.
About 8:00am this morning, detectives executed a warrant at an address in Fiegerts Road, Barragup following information received from the public.
During the search, more than nine kilograms of cannabis and 100 cannabis plants in various stages of development were located. A large quantity of cash and hydroponic equipment was also seized at the property.
A further warrant was executed in Country Road Pinjarra where items located included a small hydroponic system, loose cannabis, another cannabis plant, drug related paraphernalia and weapons.
Proceeds of Crime Squad Investigators are also taking steps to seize various assets worth approximately one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) including properties in Barragup and Falcon and vehicles including a Harley Davidson motorcycle.
Charges arising from this matter are:
A 37 year old Barragup man and 35 year old Barragup woman were charged with:
1. Cultivate Cannabis with intent to sell or supply;
2. Possess Cannabis with intent to sell or supply;
3. Possess unlawfully obtained property.
They will appear in the Mandurah Magistrates Court on Friday 4 November 2011.
A 37 year old Pinjarra man will also be summonsed to appear in the Mandurah Magistrates Court for the following alleged offences:
1. Cultivate Cannabis; 2. Possess a smoking implement; 3. Possess a drug related utensil; 4. Possess a controlled weapon x 2
Police have seized cannabis with an estimated street value of $1.25 million during the execution of a search warrant on the state’s Central Coast this morning.
About 12.30am (Sunday 30 October 20110), police from Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command were patrolling the Pacific Highway at North Wyong when they noticed a strong smell of cannabis.
A short time later, police attended a residence on the Pacific Highway and knocked on the door.
When no-one answered, police established a guard at the property and applied for a search warrant. While waiting at the residence, police allegedly saw two people running from the house into nearby bushland.
A Police Dog Unit attended and located two men, who were arrested and taken to Wyong Police Station.
About 6.30am, police executed a search warrant at the property, during which they allegedly located 288 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of $1.25 million.
Police also seized a quantity of cannabis leaf, 150 power transformers, and a large quantity of lighting and hydroponic equipment.
Two men are currently assisting police with their investigation.
A 28-year-old Dannevirke man will appear in court again tomorrow after police allegedly uncovered more than 850 cannabis plants with an estimated street value up to $2.5 million growing in a garage.
Dannevirke farmhand Aaron Hockly, also known as Waddilove, appeared at Palmerston North District Court on Saturday charged with cultivation of cannabis. He was remanded in custody.
The sophisticated growing operation with 863 seedlings and mature plants was discovered by police on Friday after a tip-off from the public, Dannevirke Detective Sergeant Graham Perks said.
A 2pm raid on the Otope Rd address revealed a sophisticated growing room set up in a garage, he said.
"In the room were 699 seedlings and 164 more mature plants.
"If all the plants were grown to full maturity and then harvested, the estimated street value is anywhere between $500,000 and $2.5 million."
Mr Perks said police received a tip-off suggesting cannabis was being grown at the address on Thursday, and acted fast.
He said a three-hour swoop seized the plants and growing equipment.
"It is before the court so I can't go into details. What we can say is that it was sophisticated in terms of its construction, lighting and ventilation."
The haul was one of the largest police in the region had seen.
"It is certainly a significant seizure in terms of the numbers of plants," Mr Perks said. "When we do cannabis recovery operations we can sometimes seize a couple of hundred plants. We don't tend to get seizures of that many.
"In terms of potential value it is high, but bear in mind a lot of these were seedlings so although they do have a high value it is not realised until further down the line."
The matter was not gang related and no one else was currently facing charges.
Mr Perks said the discovery demonstrated how important it was for the public to help police keep criminals in check.
"We do rely on public information and this is a good example of how valuable that is. The fact that we have identified this just goes to show what we can achieve when the public does their bit.
"If anyone has any information about drug cultivation, production and supply we encourage them to make contact with us or phone Crimestoppers."
[NZ] Toxic chemical fears as pair face drugs charges
[NZ] Toxic chemical fears as pair face drugs charges
An inner-city Wanganui street was cordoned off yesterday as police and the Armed Offenders Squad searched a house they believed contained toxic chemicals and weapons.
Wanganui police refused to confirm whether poisonous chemicals and weapons, including guns, were found.
But the home's two occupants, a 35-year-old man and 32-year-old woman, were arrested for allegedly possessing drugs and possessing drugs for supply. The pair appeared in Wanganui District Court later in the day.
Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Kirby said yesterday's raid could have been a potentially dangerous situation requiring people from neighbouring houses to be evacuated.
"Fortunately that wasn't the case, but we always have to take evacuation into consideration.''
As well as the Armed Offenders Squad, a team of detectives, police officers and dogs, two ambulances and a Wanganui fire truck were on standby.
Some of the police officers were also wearing special chemical safety suits.
The large cordon in Glasgow St ran from Keith St to Alexander St, with officers diverting traffic around the blocked-off area.
The house at the centre of the sting was an old wooden villa surrounded by trees. People were standing nearby, with some sitting in parked cars along the side streets, with one group parked near the first cordon in Glasgow St where it intersected Alexander St.
The group told the Chronicle they were friends of the occupants of the house and were on their way to see them. A man standing outside the car said the police had the story all wrong and that someone had rung them just to make ``heaps of trouble''.
"They [police] shouldn't believe everything they hear,'' he said.
Two women sitting in the car said a hoax call had been made to police about the occupants of the house.
"You know, like the house was full of guns, and weapons and ammunition and stuff. I mean, fancy believing that anyway,'' one woman said.
"There's always someone wanting to make trouble for you . . . look, there's even police with guns down there. Too much,'' the second woman said.
A local postwoman had been stopped and was sitting on the side of the street next to her bike and post bag.
An elderly woman who lived in the cordoned area was worried because she did not know why there were "police everywhere'' and had called her daughter at work, asking her to find out.
A student sent home sick from Wanganui City College insisted police let him into his house inside the cordon. They allowed him through but told him to go straight home and stay there.
A second million-dollar drug bust has landed another Dannevirke man in court, local police having now uncovered nearly 1200 cannabis plants growing in sophisticated operations in just five days.
Yesterday, 38-year-old Dannevirke shearer and well known local rugby player Morgan Te Ture appeared in Dannevirke District Court charged with cultivating cannabis after more than 301 plants were found in two especially fitted-out rooms of an Adelaide Rd house.
He was bailed to reappear on November 7.
The 9.20am haul ranged in size from seedlings to plants with an estimated street value up to $1 million and was the second in the town in just five days. Another 863 plants were seized from an Otope Rd garage on Friday.
A 28-year-old farm hand, Aaron Hockly, also known as Waddilove, has made two appearances in Palmerston North District Court in relation to the matter, and will next appear on November 9.
Dannevirke Police Detective Sergeant Graham Perks said the raids, though unrelated, were both the result of information from the public.
"At the end of the day, information the police are told comes in various forms at varying times and this time we just happened to get information on two different growing operations that are completely unrelated."
There were similarities between the operations in terms of sophistication, but the tip-offs were coincidental.
"Indoor growing relies on artificial heat, so in terms of indoor growing there is no real 'time of year'," he said. "It is found at all times of year.
"Outdoor is different as it relies on weather obviously, and we are actually coming into that season, but it was a coincidence that we found these particular indoor-growing operations when we did."
Mr Perks hoped the two raids were sending a strong message to the criminal fraternity.
"Hopefully the message is going out loud and clear that we will not tolerate drugs in our communities and just because your operation is hidden out of sight doesn't mean we won't be knocking on your door."
Te Ture is well known around Dannevirke for his involvement in rugby, with various playing and coaching roles for teams including Dannevirke Sports Club Senior A and the Dannevirke High School First XV.
MONSTER HAUL: Some of the 863 cannabis plants and seedlings with an estimated street value of $2.5 million seized from a Dannevirke garage just days before 301 plants were found at another property in the town. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
A 28-year-old Dannevirke man will appear in court again tomorrow after police uncovered more than 850 cannabis plants with an estimated street value up to $2.5 million growing in a garage.
Dannevirke farmhand Aaron Hockly, also known as Waddilove, appeared at Palmerston North District Court on Saturday charged with cultivation of cannabis. He was remanded in custody.
The sophisticated growing operation with 863 seedlings and mature plants was discovered by police on Friday after a tip-off from the public, Dannevirke Detective Sergeant Graham Perks said.
A 2pm raid on the Otope Rd address revealed a sophisticated growing room set up in a garage, he said.
"In the room were 699 seedlings and 164 more mature plants.
"If all the plants were grown to full maturity and then harvested, the estimated street value is anywhere between $500,000 and $2.5 million."
Mr Perks said police received a tip-off suggesting cannabis was being grown at the address on Thursday, and acted fast.
He said a three-hour swoop seized the plants and growing equipment.
"It is before the court so I can't go into details. What we can say is that it was sophisticated in terms of its construction, lighting and ventilation."
The haul was one of the largest police in the region had seen.
"It is certainly a significant seizure in terms of the numbers of plants," Mr Perks said. "When we do cannabis recovery operations we can sometimes seize a couple of hundred plants. We don't tend to get seizures of that many.
"In terms of potential value it is high, but bear in mind a lot of these were seedlings so although they do have a high value it is not realised until further down the line."
The matter was not gang related and no one else was currently facing charges.
Mr Perks said the discovery demonstrated how important it was for the public to help police keep criminals in check.
A 48-year-old Derby man is set to lose almost $1 million of assets after being convicted of drug dealing and being declared a drug trafficker.
Businessman Shum Gee Lwoy was arrested in April this year after a series of raids on local properties.
Officers from the organised crime and proceeds of crime squads flew from Perth to help with the searches, which uncovered amphetamines and cannabis packaged for sale.
Lwoy had earlier pleaded guilty to 11 drug-related charges and was yesterday sentenced in the Perth District Court to four-and-a-half years' jail, with parole.
The judge declared him a drug trafficker, which makes it likely that almost $1 million of assets seized at the time of his arrest will be permanently confiscated.
