The Australian/NZ Drug Busts Mega-Thread Part Triforce

[poledriver]

Drugs and stun guns seized - Green Valley

Drugs and stun guns seized - Green Valley

A man has been charged after drugs and weapons were seized following a search warrant in Sydney’s south-west yesterday.

About 2.45pm (Thursday 6 October 2011), officers attached to Green Valley Local Area Command, assisted by Bass Hill Region Enforcement Squad and a drug detection dog, executed a search warrant at a house on Wilson Road, Green Valley.

Police allegedly located a quantity of cannabis, a number of ecstasy tablets, drug paraphernalia, three stun guns, ammunition and a sum of cash.

A 20-year-old man was arrested and taken to Green Valley Police Station.

He was subsequently charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, three counts of possess prohibited weapon, knowingly deal in proceeds of crime, and possess ammunition.

He has been refused bail and is due to appear in Liverpool Local Court today (Friday 7 October 2011).


Acting Inspector Paul Kremer said this is an excellent example of how information from the community assists the police.

“The activities of this man were reported by a number of sources which ultimately lead to his arrest,” he said.​

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[poledriver]

Former BHP steelworker dealt drugs to "get girlfriend clean"

Former BHP steelworker dealt drugs to "get girlfriend clean"

A former Newcastle steelworker due to be sentenced today for drug offences has told the District Court he has now got an insight into the devastating effects of drugs.

58-year-old Barnsley man Warren Alexander McLucas had a clean criminal record when he was caught last December with more than 100 grams of heroin and more than $300,000 in cash.

During his sentencing hearing yesterday, McLucas told the District Court he only dealt heroin to try to wean his girlfriend off the drug.

The Crime Commission has seized the cash and McLucas told the court he needs to dip into his BHP superannuation fund to pay an additional $200,000.

McLucas told the court, time he has already served in jail has given him an insight into where drugs can lead and when he is released he wants to get his life back together and put the matter behind him.

The former BHP steelworker told the court he was relieved to get caught, saying his activities had become a burden and were affecting his health.

He will be sentenced today.​

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[poledriver]

Police sting 'likely' behind teen's Bali arrest

Police sting 'likely' behind teen's Bali arrest

Bali Nine lawyer Julian McMahon suspects a 14-year-old Australian boy being held in Bali for alleged drug possession may have fallen victim to a police sting operation.

The boy, from Newcastle on the New South Wales central coast, was arrested on Tuesday and accused of buying 6.9 grams of marijuana.

The Federal Government has pledged to do everything possible to bring him home quickly, and dispatched Australia's ambassador to Bali to help.

Julian McMahon told AM it is "quite likely" the boy was picked up during a sting.

"It seems to be what happens much of the time there," he said.

"People spot Australians or Europeans who want to buy a drug. They sell it to them and the police are watching and get involved very quickly.

"And the person who sells the drug has some kind of arrangement where they would dob someone into the police - that is quite common."

If he goes to trial, the boy faces between two and six years in prison and could be jailed at Kerobokan Prison along with people like Schapelle Corby and members of the Bali Nine drug ring.

The boy's Bali lawyers say that depending on his history of drug use and treatment in Australia, he could be released without going through a criminal trial.

Mr McMahon said that is was likely the court would simply return him to his parents.

"I am only aware of a couple of cases where people under 18 have gone to jail and they're for significantly more amounts of drugs [than] from this guy I think," he said.

But he then added: "Oh actually one of them is less."​

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[poledriver]

Police remind race goers of zero tolerance following drug arrests - Bathurst 1000

Police remind race goers of zero tolerance following drug arrests - Bathurst 1000

Police are reminding those attending the Bathurst 1000 that zero tolerance is being shown towards drug possession after a number of people were caught attempting to bring drugs into the venue.

Yesterday (Thursday 6 October 2011), a 37-year-old West Australian man was allegedly detected with an amount of LSD attempting to enter through the Barry Gurdon checkpoint.

He was arrested and issued a field court attendance notice for the offence of possess prohibited drug. He was also issued a banning notice from the venue.

This morning, the man was found inside the camping ground, in breach of the banning notice. He was given a Criminal Infringement Notice for the offence of trespass and removed from the venue again.

Two other men were also allegedly detected trying to bring drugs onto the mountain yesterday.

A 28-year-old Queensland man was issued with a cannabis caution and issued with a banning notice after allegedly being found with a small amount of cannabis.

A 42-year-old Toongabbie man was arrested and issued with a field court attendance notice and a banning notice after also allegedly being found with an amount of cannabis.

Both men were detected at the Barry Gurdon checkpoint by sniffer dogs.

Superintendent Bob Ryan, a Commander of ‘Operation Ashdown’, has reminded those attending that police will not tolerate the use or possession of illicit drugs on Mt Panorama.

“This is a family friendly event, and so far the crowd has been very well behaved. But to those who think they will get past us with illicit substances, you are wrong. You will be caught, charged, and removed from the venue, and miss out on the event all together,” Superintendent Ryan said.​

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[poledriver]

Major cannabis plantation located at Mt Pelion via Mackay

Major cannabis plantation located at Mt Pelion via Mackay

Police have located more than $82 million dollars worth of cannabis plants on a rural property at Mt Pelion via Mackay.

Police from State Crime Operations Command State Drug Investigation Unit assisted by police from Central Region executed a search warrant on the property over a three day period from October 5, 2011.

Officers located two sites being used for the production of more than 33,000 cannabis plants ranging from small seedlings to mature plants 6-8ft high.

Operation Juliet Unearth began in August 2011 and has focused on cannabis production in the Mt Pelion area, north of Mackay.

Acting Detective Superintendent Mark Slater of the State Drug Investigation Unit said the seizure of a cannabis plantation of this proportion will significantly disrupt the activities of the associated distribution network supplying cannabis to the community.

“The targeted operation focused on the production, supply and distribution of dangerous drugs by organised syndicates operating out of the Mackay area. We are extremely pleased with the results which are the culmination of several months of extensive investigations.

“We will continue to seek out criminals and prosecute those involved in the production and trafficking of illegal substances. This operation is a further example of the work currently being undertaken throughout the state are we’re committed to disrupting major drug production and supply networks.”

No charges have yet been laid as police investigations continue.​

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[poledriver]

Drug charges, Southport

Drug charges, Southport

A 26-year-old Southport man has been charged with several drug related offences following the discovery of a hydroponic laboratory in a residence this morning.

Police executed a search warrant at a Sungold Street property at around 9am where it will be alleged they located several cannabis plants and equipment used to grow cannabis and produce dangerous drugs.

The man has been charged with eight drug related offences including possessing dangerous drugs, producing dangerous drugs and trafficking.

He will appear in the Southport Magistrates Court tomorrow.​

here

 

[poledriver]

Illegal drug lab uncovered - Fairfield

Illegal drug lab uncovered - Fairfield

A man will appear in court this morning following the discovery of a clandestine drug lab in Sydney’s southwest yesterday.

About 9.45am (Friday 7 October), police from the South West Metropolitan Region Enforcement Squad executed a search warrant on a unit on Hamilton Road at Fairfield.

Officers allegedly uncovered an illegal drug lab being used to manufacture methylamphetamine, commonly known as Ice.

Police seized precursor chemicals and equipment, plus varying quantities of substances believed to be ecstasy, pseudoephedrine and methylamphetamine.

Investigators arrested a 47-year-old man inside the unit and took him to Fairfield Police Station.

He has been charged with manufacturing prohibited drugs, supply prohibited drugs, possess prohibited drugs and conduct a drug premises.

The man has been bail refused and will appear at Parramatta Local Court this morning.​

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[poledriver]

Man charged over steroid haul - Belrose

Man charged over steroid haul - Belrose

Police have charged a man following an investigation into illegal steroids in Sydney’s north.

About 7pm on Thursday (6 October), detectives from Northern Beaches Local Area Command arrested the 20-year-old man in the car park of a fitness centre on Endeavour Street in Chatswood.

Officers allegedly found several vials of what is believed to be an anabolic/androgenic steroid in the man’s car.

Last night (Friday 7 October), police were granted a warrant to search the man’s home Caleyi Way at Belrose.

Police will allege they found more vials of the illegal steroids. Ten vials were found in total.

They will all be sent for testing to confirm they are a restricted substance under the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1966.

The man has been charged with the possession of anabolic steroids and has been granted bail to appear at Hornsby Local Court on Wednesday 2 November.​

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[poledriver]

Dogs detect drugs at Melbourne music festival

Dogs detect drugs at Melbourne music festival

A Passive Alert Detection (PAD) dog operation at Godskitchen music festival in Melbourne has resulted in 15 people being apprehended for drug offences.

Of the 15 people arrested, 11 were referred to a drug diversion program while four people were interviewed in relation to possessing and trafficking.

Drugs seized at the overnight event included ecstasy and amphetamines.

A 21-year-old man from Wantirna South, a 24-year-old man from Oakleigh South and a 27-year-old man from Kings Park have each been charged with possessing a drug of dependence.

A Cockatoo man, aged 21, has been charged with trafficking a drug of dependence.

All four men have been bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court at a later date.

Acting Inspector Donald Brown of Melbourne Divisional Response Unit (DRU) said police were disappointed at the number of drug offences detected.

“Police will continue to target illicit drug use and trafficking at the various music events and festivals over summer,” he said.​

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[poledriver]

Cannabis haul seized in the Riverland

Cannabis haul seized in the Riverland

Police from the Heavy Vehicle Enforcement Section arrested two men yesterday after they located a commercial amount of cannabis in the prime mover they were travelling in.

Just after 11pm police stopped the truck on the Sturt Highway halfway between Blanchetown and Waikerie as it was travelling from Adelaide to New South Wales.

A search of the vehicle resulted in police locating approximately 18 kilograms of dried cannabis which was packed into two cardboard boxes and two sealed plastic garbage bags.

A 44-year-old man and a 40-year-old man both from Waikerie were arrested and charged with trafficking in a commercial quantity of cannabis.

Both men have been bailed to appear in the Waikerie Court on 25 November.​

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[poledriver]

Man arrested for drug, firearms and theft offences

Man arrested for drug, firearms and theft offences

A 28-year-old man from Wingfield has been arrested and charged with firearms, theft and drug offences.

On Sunday 9th October 2011, Police from Western Adelaide CIB Tactical conducted a search of premises at Wingfield.

As a result of this search police located a 12 gauge sawn off shot gun, two high powered rifles, a replica pistol, silencer and in excess of 1000 rounds of live ammunition.

Police also seized a large quantity of prohibited weapons including throwing knives, bayonets and butterfly knives.

Also seized were three motorcycles, suspected of being stolen and approximately 10 grams of a substance believed to be amphetamine.

The man will appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday 10th October 2011.

Anyone with information about this matter is urged to contact Bank SA Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or on-line at​

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[poledriver]

[NZ] Herbal-high supplier on multiple P-linked charges

[NZ] Herbal-high supplier on multiple P-linked charges

The owner of a successful natural health supplement company is one of the first people to be charged with supplying methamphetamine ingredients since precursor materials were upgraded to class-B drugs.

Gary John Read, 44, is a well-known face in Tauranga. He was a party pill retailer before BZP was banned and owned a nightclub on The Strand.

He owns a $1.5 million home in Thailand and sells herbal pills to boost sex drive, weight loss and wellbeing, as well as legal highs such as Tripping Weed and Bong It.

The potent hallucinogenic in these is derived from the salvia divinorum plant, a natural source, and sidesteps the Government's recent crackdown on synthetic cannabis alternatives.

Detectives in the Organised and Financial Crime Agency of New Zealand (Ofcanz) have charged Read as part of an international drug smuggling syndicate.

He faces charges of importing ephedrine into New Zealand, conspiracy to import the drug, possession of ephedrine for supply, and possession of methamphetamine for supply.


Ephedrine is the main ingredient in methamphetamine and is often extracted from the pseudoephedrine found in cold and flu medicine.

The precursor ingredients were upgraded from class-C to class-B drugs just a few weeks before Read's arrest in late September.

Possession for supply now carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison, up from eight years.

Read was arrested after an armed offenders squad raid and charged with his daughter, Kahsharn Read, 24, and another woman, Jade Brady, 28, after a joint operation between Ofcanz and Customs investigators.

Brady is also charged with possession of a restricted weapon, a stun gun.

Police allege that a parcel containing 1.8kg of ephedrine was sent from Thailand to an address in the Tauranga suburb of Judea, and Kahsharn Read delivered the parcel to her father within an hour.

Read was allegedly opening the package at the time of a police search.

A week earlier, police allege Read took a plastic container to a secluded garden area in a Tauranga reserve.

When it was dug up, police allegedly found seven ounce bags of methamphetamine (a total of 200g).

An ounce (28.5g) has a wholesale price of around $14,000, but the drug has a street value of around $1000 a gram.

A second package of ephedrine was intercepted during the police raid and another importing charge laid.

After arresting Read, police told the Tauranga District Court that he was a flight risk.

Read is in custody awaiting a bail hearing. His daughter and Brady were released on strict bail conditions.

The police investigation is ongoing and attention could possibly turn to his assets, including his prized Harley-Davidson.

Read is the chief executive, sole director and sole shareholder of ISL Herbal Products, which supplies natural diet supplements to hundreds of stockists around the country.

He wrote on the company website: "Our main priority is to provide a safe and completely natural product that offers a healthy approach to the wellbeing of your entire family."

- additional reporting: Jamie Morton​

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[poledriver]

[NZ] Good father' drug dealer jailed

[NZ] Good father' drug dealer jailed

A brazen drug dealer who used public transport to smuggle large hauls of cannabis throughout New Zealand has been jailed for three years.

Father-of-five Leon Leech, 37, admitted dealing the class-C drug on a "substantial scale" from his Dunedin home where he lived with his five-year-old daughter.

The High Court in Dunedin heard last month that the drug-dealing operation was valued at around $200,000.

He worked with another convicted dealer, named in court papers as a Mr Brundell, who has also pleaded guilty to drug dealing but is yet to be sentenced.

In her newly-released judgement, Justice Christine French explained how the kingpins ran their lucrative business.

She told how the cannabis was sourced by Mr Brundell in the North Island and transported to Leech in Dunedin, "sometimes by car, sometimes by public transport, and in the later stages, by a paid courier."

Leech then sold the drugs from his Dunedin home where he lived with his young daughter.

Justice French said: "You packaged the cannabis when it arrived into smaller amounts and sold it from your home in the form of tinnies ($25), ounces ($350-$400) and pounds ($5000-$5600).


You would then forward some of the money back through bank accounts of various associates."

Police enquiries found 90 cash deposits between August 2007 and May 2011 but failed to trace all of the recipients.

When caught by police, Leech admitted his role in the operation, but "offered no explanation."

Justice French said that Leech - who has six previous cannabis-related convictions, including one for cultivation - was a "good father" despite his illegal activities.

She said: "The information tells me that you are 37 years of age, a beneficiary with five children. You only became a beneficiary because you took on the care of your youngest daughter. Her very positive school report suggests you are at least in some aspects a good parent."

Justice French jailed Leech for three years and also made forfeiture orders for his car and some cash that was found in his possession when he was arrested.

Last month, Leech pleaded guilty to claiming almost $53,000 in benefit payments he was not entitled to after failing to inform Work and Income about the large sums of cash he was earning from drug dealing.

He told investigators he did not disclose the income because it was from illegal activities.

At Dunedin District Court, Leech admitted four charges of dishonestly using Work and Income documents for financial gain and one charge of wilfully failing to disclose his correct financial circumstances to the Ministry of Social Development between August 3 2007 and June 16 this year.

Judge Stephen O'Driscoll convicted Leech on all charges and remanded him in custody for sentence on November 10.​

here

 

[poledriver]

Drug charges, Helensvale

Drug charges, Helensvale

Two people have been charged after police executed a search warrant on a property at Helensvale today.

It is alleged a weapon and drug related equipment was located at the Chip In Place residence just before 11am.

The 23-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man have been charged with one count each of trafficking dangerous drugs, possession property obtained from trafficking, producing dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs, unlawful possession of a weapon, possessing instructions for producing dangerous drugs.

They have been held in custody and are due to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court tomorrow.​

here

 

[poledriver]

Hot houses of crime - police weeding out the suburban cannabis syndicates

Hot houses of crime - police weeding out the suburban cannabis syndicates

THEY blend into suburbia, posing as regular neighbours living quietly in modest homes in Sydney's southwest.

But the dope homes and their "crop sitters" are under attack, with police conducting raids on more than 70 homes this year.

The latest, early yesterday morning in Cartwright, near Liverpool, allegedly uncovered rooms converted into hydroponic marijuana "hot houses".

"We have carried out 71 search warrants and have had success in nearly every one," Assistant Commissioner Frank Mennilli said yesterday.

"Not only do we get the drugs off the street, we also significantly disrupt the cash flow of criminal organisations."

Strike Force Zambesi, which works with the Asian Crime Squad, was formed by South West Metropolitan Region Enforcement Squad in March to shut down hydroponic cannabis houses in southwest Sydney.

POLICE made two cannabis busts during raids at homes yesterday, netting drugs with a street value of more than $400,000.
Since its inception, police have uncovered and raided a drug house each week and have seized and destroyed 7963 cannabis plants worth $24 million.

Police have arrested 28 people called "crop sitters" and charged them with offences such as drug cultivation, drug possession, fraud and electricity theft.

The homes are set up by criminal syndicates, mainly Asian, for the purpose of growing large amounts of cannabis under the cover of suburban homes.

"Intelligence reports have revealed there is a large number of these hydro houses in southwestern Sydney because of the large population and the availability of rental properties," Mr Mennilli said.

"The cultivation of cannabis in houses is attractive to criminals because they believe the crops are more difficult to detect - giving them a much lower risk with significantly higher returns."

The hydro houses are modified and fitted with dangerous and illegal electrical bypasses to steal electricity.

"In one raid, police found 12-month-old twins sleeping just metres from the growing rooms," Mr Mennilli said.

"The risk to people tending these crops is incredibly high, not to mention the risk posed to the general community should a fire break out, which can be caused by a surge or unlicensed works carried out to bypass the meter."​

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[poledriver]

Godskitchen drug arrests

Godskitchen drug arrests

FIFTEEN people were arrested for drug offences at the Godskitchen music festival on Saturday night.

Of the 15 arrested at Melbourne Park, 11 were referred to a drug diversion program and four were interviewed over possession and trafficking.

Drugs seized during the PAD dog operation at the overnight event included ecstasy and amphetamines.

Four men, a 21-year-old from Wantirna South, a 24-year-old from Oakleigh South and a 27-year-old from Kings Park were charged with possessing a drug of dependence.

A 21-year-old Cockatoo man was charged with trafficking a drug of dependence.

All four men were bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court at a later date.

Acting Inspector Donald Brown of Melbourne Divisional Response Unit (said police were disappointed at the number of drug offences detected.

“Police will continue to target illicit drug use and trafficking at the various music events and festivals over summer,” he said.​

here

 

[poledriver]

Bali arrest: Every corner in Kuta a drug store

Bali arrest: Every corner in Kuta a drug store

WE hadn't even parked the car when the dealer saw me.
I looked like the perfect target - a fair skinned tourist with a local driver, Rosie Squires reports for The Daily Telegraph.
He smiled at me warmly, which I returned (not knowing his agenda) and when I stepped out of the car he approached me.
"You want to buy a phone?" he asked.
"No thanks," I said simply.
"A T-shirt? A T-shirt? Cocaine?" The jump from clothing to drugs confused me. So I asked him again.
"Cocaine? You want cocaine or grass?" he replied. He was just the first.

I was approached seven times in about half an hour walking down popular Legian Street in Kuta, Bali.
You can pick them at a glance, standing by the roadside smoking a cigarette and waiting for their next target. None offered a price, just said "grass?" "grass?"
Others said "ganja ganja?"

It was early evening and the street was still bustling with hundreds of tourists heading back from Kuta beach.
Each dealer looked the same. Focused, middle-aged men in a T-shirt and old jeans. They didn't look high themselves, just out to make some money. Some followed me for a couple of metres before dropping back in defeat.

By the end of the strip I was brushing them off with the same determination mustered at the polling booth on election day when forced to fight off those pesky pamphlet pushing volunteers.
I wasn't the only one approached by these dealers. Brooke Clifford, 26, of Sydney, travelled to Bali last Tuesday.

"I have been offered drugs repeatedly every day since I arrived. It is just constant. Everything from weed to cocaine and pills," she said.
"The dealers just sit on the side of the road and spit out 'charlie?' or 'grass'.

"At nightclubs they offer the drugs by showing you it in their hands. I just walk away.
"I definitely would never, ever even consider buying drugs. It is a sting."
The illegal drug spruiking happens to men as well.

"They keep offering me Viagra," laughed one Aussie, who did not want to be named.
"I don't know what it is but they just keep asking me."

Many Australian tourists were unaware there was a 14-year-old schoolboy being held in Bali police headquarters for allegedly buying some marijuana off a street dealer. The teen is being held in a cell on the second story of the Denpasar police complex.
It's alleged he bought $25 of marijuana in Kuta.​

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[poledriver]

Woman finds drug making equipment near Albany river

Woman finds drug making equipment near Albany river

A woman has told police she found an ammonia generator and other equipment used in the manufacture of drugs on the banks of the Kalgan River near Albany.

Police say the woman found the items last Monday and took them to her house with the intention of taking them to the police.

However, she only told police about the equipment yesterday.

Police say the woman should have left the items at the river and notified police immediately.

They are investigating where the equipment has come from.​

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[poledriver]

Drugs located at Gawler

Drugs located at Gawler

Police have carried out an operation targeting the manufacture and cultivation of illicit drugs in the Gawler area.


Seven properties were searched as part of the operation.

At a Gawler East address police located equipment that they'll allege was used in the manufacture of amphetamines.

At another Gawler East home police located a sophisticated hydroponic grow room, consisting of 33 high powered lights and other equipment used to cultivate cannabis.

Eight kilograms of dried cannabis was also located.

Disturbingly the power supply had been bypassed which is a fire danger.

ETSA crews attended to ensure that the power supply was safely disconnected.

The couple in their 60s were reported for possession of prescribed equipment, possession of cannabis for sale and the theft of electricity.

They will appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court at a later date.

In total eight people were reported for a range of drug offences.​

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[Jabberwocky]

Sydney house hid major cannabis farm: police

Sydney house hid major cannabis farm: police

October 11, 2011 - 1:18PM

Police have seized $500,000 worth of cannabis plants after raiding a drug house in Sydney's south-west.

Officers from Strike Force Zambesi raided the house on Willan Drive at Cartwright at about 10.40am (AEDT) yesterday.

They found five rooms of hydroponically grown cannabis.

Police say they also found an illegal electricity bypass which was used to run equipment inside the house.

They seized 150 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of just over $500,000.

Investigations are continuing to determine who was running the drug house.

Strike Force Zambesi was formed in April this year and has seized almost 8000 cannabis plants worth a total of more than $24 million and has arrested 25 people over the cultivation of illegal drugs.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/sydney-ho...farm-police-20111011-1lifp.html#ixzz1aRANPCY0