The Australian/NZ Drug Busts Mega-Thread Part Triforce

[poledriver]

Man charged, cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy seized – Enmore

A man has been charged after police allegedly located ecstasy, cocaine and cannabis on him when they stopped him at Enmore last night.

About 7:40pm, police were on Enmore Road, Enmore when they allegedly observed two men running in and out of the traffic on the road.

Police stopped both men and spoke to them after one of them had run into a car which was travelling south.

During a search of a 23-year-old Ryde man police allegedly located approximately 100 ecstasy tablets as well as an amount of cocaine, cannabis and cash.

The man was arrested and taken to Newtown Police Station where he was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug (greater than indictable quantity), three counts of possess prohibited drug and one count of dealing with property suspected proceeds of crime.

He was refused bail and is expected to appear in Parramatta Bail Court today.

here

 

[poledriver]

Man charged, drugs and chemicals seized - Beverley Hills and Sydney

Police have charged a man with drug possession after a vehicle stop and subsequent search warrants in Sydney and Beverly Hills yesterday.

About 12:45am, Saturday 26 March, police stopped a silver Mini Cooper on Henry Lawson Drive at Milperra.

During a search of the car police allegedly located a small amount of methylamphetamine as well as a skimming device, fraudulent licences and credit cards, several mobile phones, sim cards and drug paraphernalia.

Subsequent inquiries led police to conduct two search warrants at premises in York Street, Sydney and Toorak Avenue, Beverly Hills.

During a search of the York Street apartment police allegedly located methylamphetamine in the process of being manufactured as well as chemicals commonly used in the manufacture of prohibited drugs.

The State Crime Command’s Chemical Operations Unit was called to the scene to examine the chemicals, render the area safe and secure the drugs.

Further amounts of chemicals as well as documents and a mobile phone were seized during a search of the man’s home in Beverly Hills.

The 26-year-old man was arrested and taken to Bankstown Police Station where he was charged with two counts of possess prohibited drug and possess fraudulent Australian licences, one count of deal with identity information to commit indictable offence and other traffic-related offences.

He was refused bail to appear in Parramatta Bail Court today.

Wetherill Park Region Enforcement Squads are continuing their investigations into the matter and further charges are expected to be laid.

here

 

[Juvenile]

WA Police comissioner Karl O'Callaghan's son injured in meth lab explosion

Karl O'Callaghan: A message from the heart to WA parents

LAST weekend, Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan's son, Russell, suffered horrific burns when a clandestine drug laboratory exploded in a unit in Carlisle. Mr O'Callaghan tells The Sunday Times his heart-wrenching story and his inner conflict at being WA's top cop and the father of a son on the roller-coaster of drug addiction.

THERE has been much discussion this week about the injuries my son received in a clan-lab explosion last weekend.

Much of the debate has been about the personal pain that families endure when one of their own is suffering from a chronic drug-addiction problem.

For me, the problem was amplified by the very public airing of the most private of feelings. I do not write this to garner empathy, but to pose the same questions that many of us in similar situations may ask ourselves. Could I have done more?

While I am not sure of the genesis of Russell’s addiction, I am sure that a significant factor in its development was his distance from family – sometimes his choice, sometimes ours.

http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/wes...rt-to-wa-parents/story-e6frg13u-1226028631954

 

[poledriver]

Two charged over motel drug lab

The organised crime squad has charged two men over the discovery of a clandestine drug laboratory at a motel in Perth's eastern suburbs.

Police say an investigation into two pharmacy burglaries led investigators to the men who were staying at a motel in Wattle Grove.

In the room, police allegedly found pseudoephedrine-based medications, a large quantity of cold and flu tablets and other drug making materials.

A 31-year-old Gosnells man and a 30-year-old Gosnells man have been charged with two counts of aggravated burglary and attempting to manufacture methylamphetamine.

A 29-year-old Gosnells woman, who was also in the motel room at the time, was charged with breaching her bail.

here

 

[poledriver]

Man charged with drug murder as cops hunt for body

Police in Hobart have charged a 39-year-old man with murder as they investigate a major drug network in Tasmania's south.

The man's wife and a Bridgewater woman have been charged with being accessories after the fact and will appear in Hobart Magistrate's court this morning.

Senior police sources have told the ABC a Midlands man they believe is Brendan Roy Marriott was shot in the head in an execution style killing.

Police conducted dawn raids at several properties yesterday.

They are still at a rural property in Bagdad looking for a body using a specially-trained sniffer dog.

Last night they had cordoned off an area at the property and started digging.

Police say they became aware of the death during an investigation into a major amphetamine drug lab operation.

It is understood the dead man was part of the syndicate.

Inspector Colin Riley says a second crime scene has been established at a house in Bridgewater.

"The investigations into the death will continue for sometime," he said.

Drug network

Police say they have cracked a major operation which manufactured amphetamines in illicit labs around Hobart, for distribution throughout the state.

It is one of the biggest investigations ever seen in the south with almost 100 police officers carrying out dawn raids on five homes in Hobart and the midlands.

Inspector Riley says the man's death happened towards the end of last year and was not reported.

"We became aware that in fact there was an unreported death during the investigation. At this stage I can't disclose the exact time of that," he said.

Police will continue searching the properties today.

here

 

[poledriver]

Man arrested and drugs seized – Asian Crime Squad

A man has been arrested after officers from State Crime Command’s Asian Crime Squad seized drugs worth more than $200,000 and a home-made heroin press.

Detectives from Strike Force Creagh, which was established to investigate ongoing drug supply, stopped a car at Frank Street, Fairfield, about 6.45pm yesterday and searched the vehicle.

A number of small bags containing ‘ice’ (crystal methylamphetamine) were seized and the male driver was arrested.

Police subsequently conducted a search warrant at a home in First Avenue, Green Valley, where they seized more than 200 grams of heroin, 170 grams of cocaine and 30 grams of ‘ice’.

The drugs seized have an estimated potential street value of more than $200,000.

Drug paraphernalia, including a home-made heroin press, and $70,000 cash were also seized.

A 27-year-old Green Valley man has been charged drug possession and supply offences as well as dealing with the proceeds of crime.

He was refused bail to face Liverpool Local Court today.

Inquiries by Strike Force Creagh detectives are continuing and further arrests are expected.

here

 

[poledriver]

Firth husband's dealer faces court

A man accused of selling ecstasy to the husband of former New South Wales education minister Verity Firth has been kept behind bars.

Police allege Gerald Gordon, 30, sold a single ecstasy tablet to Matthew Chesher in January.

Gordon faced Sydney's Central Local Court via videolink on a string of drug charges.

He is been kept in custody to face court again in May.

Chesher resigned as chief of staff to the then New South Wales roads minister David Borger in January.

He is due to appear in court on Friday.

here

 

[poledriver]

Man arrested for concealing $1.5 million worth of cocaine in suitcase

A 21-year-old United States national has been arrested by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) at Sydney Airport for importing three kilograms of cocaine into Australia.

He is scheduled to appear in Sydney Central Local Court today.

Customs and Border Protection officers stopped the man for questioning when he arrived at Sydney International Airport on a flight from Los Angeles yesterday (27 March 2011).

Following an x-ray of the man’s suitcase and a positive result from a drug detector dog, officers found a substance concealed in the lining of his suitcase.

Initial testing indicated the substance was cocaine, weighing approximately 3 kilograms and worth an estimated street value of $1.5 million.

The man was referred to the AFP and 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 an $825,000 fine.

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

here

 

[poledriver]

Two charged over drug and firearm offences

Police in Perth have charged two men, including a former member of the Sword Boys gang, with drug and firearm offences.

It is alleged 32-year-old Edmond "Monty" Margjini and a 22-year-old man were sitting in a stolen BMW at a service station in Kwinana yesterday when they were approached by police.

Police say Mr Mjargjini ran into nearby bush before being caught.

A search of the bush allegedly uncovered bags containing methylamphetamine.

Police say a search of the men's home also uncovered ammunition and drugs.

Mr Margjini has been charged with possessing methylamphetmine with intent to sell or supply, stealing a motor vehicle and driving without a licence.

His accomplice has been charged with possession of a firearm.

here

 

[poledriver]

Man charged over 8.5 kilograms of methamphetamine - 30 March 2011

A 49-year-old Hong Kong man will appear in Sydney Central Local Court today charged with attempting to take possession of 8.5 kilograms of methamphetamine.

On 27 March, an international mail package was referred by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service to Customs and Border Protection at theSydney Gateway Facility. The package was examined and found to contain nine sealed foil bags labelled as coffee.

Further investigations revealed a substance which returned a positive presumptive test for methamphetamine.

The matter was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and a police investigation commenced.

The package was delivered to an address in Carlton yesterday, where the man was arrested by AFP officers after he attempted to take possession of the package.

The man was charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.5(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995, by virtue of section 11.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

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

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

here

 

[poledriver]

No verdict in airport caterer drug case

A jury has been unable to reach a verdict in the trial of a Sydney Airport worker accused of conspiring to smuggle cocaine.

Catering company employees Wayne Williams and Matthew Hay were arrested after packages of cocaine were found in rubbish taken off a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles in 2009.

A District Court jury has been unable to reach a verdict for Williams, who may face a retrial.

On Friday it found Hay guilty.

here

 

[poledriver]

[NZ] Arrests made in meth crackdown

Nine people have been arrested today on drug charges throughout the Wellington district. An operation targeting the manufacture, supply and use of methamphetamine involved 60 police staff from across the district.

"Police recovered a substantial amount of methamphetamine, two cannabis growing operations, and recovered some stolen computers," Senior Sergeant Steve Harwood said.

Five men and four women have been arrested and are in custody facing a range of charges, including selling and supplying a Class A controlled drug, possession of methamphetamine and possession of cannabis.

Police said further arrests were likely.

here

 

[poledriver]

[NZ] P-lab bust shows growing link to illegal arms

Police say the seizure of weapons at a rural Waikato property during a P-lab bust highlights the worrying link between drugs and illegal firearms.

Waikato detectives and members of the armed offenders squad swooped on the rented Ohinewai property on Tuesday afternoon and found a methamphetamine laboratory in its "preliminary stages" and significant quantities of chemicals used to manufacture the drug.

Police would not reveal what quantity of the drug was in the laboratory or what weapons or ammunition were found.

They confirmed only that a silencer-equipped firearm had been recovered.

Two people were arrested - one was charged in relation to drug manufacturing - and Detective Sergeant Rod Carpinter said more people were to be interviewed.

Mr Carpinter said the bust highlighted the risk to the public and police from links between the illicit drugs trade and illegal firearms.

"More often than not we are finding it necessary to deploy armed police in support of such investigations as offenders involved in the drugs trade or dishonestly offending to pay for their drug habits take to arming themselves," he said.


"Waikato police are conscious of the effects drugs like methamphetamine have on our community, from the need to fund drug use through the proceeds of burglary through to the risks associated to properties from explosion or chemical contamination.

"We hope results such as this will go some way to disrupting the drugs [supply]."

The communications manager for the Waikato police, Andrew McAlley, said the recovery of firearms at clandestine P laboratories was becoming a "far more frequent occurrence".

He said that offenders needed to interact with organised criminal groups such as gangs to maintain their activities and this often resulted in standovers or intimidation, leading some to arm themselves for protection.

"This proliferation of illegally held firearms presents a risk not only to our staff but to the public and even to the offenders themselves."

Mr McAlley said the arrests were not related to last month's drug-related raids across the North Island in which police seized expensive cars and motorbikes,guns, drugs and more than $120,000 in cash.

here

 

[poledriver]

25kg of heroin seized despite clever concealment

Customs and Border Protection officers have seized an estimated 25 kilograms of heroin with a potential street value of $4.5 million.

On 20 March 2011 Customs and Border Protection officers at the Sydney Container Examination Facility examined a shipping container declared as kitchen and hardware items.

Customs and Border Protection officers found 26 cardboard boxes containing a large number of bolts. Upon further inspection, officers found a white substance concealed within the bolts.

Initial testing of the substance indicated the presence of heroin.

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

The matter has been referred to the Australian Federal Police for further investigation.

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

here

 

[poledriver]

Brett Wicks to spend first night in jail for dealing

The brother of former Newcastle Knights player, Danny Wicks will spend his first night in custody for supplying illegal drugs.

24-year-old Brett Wicks has pleaded guilty to two counts of supplying methylamphetamine in Charlestown and Grafton, on the mid-north coast.

His wife, 26-year-old Tristen Davenport has also pleaded guilty after they were charged in December 2009.

During sentencing submissions in Newcastle District Court today, Wicks described meth as a "greedy drug" and admits he was living one "big fake lifestyle".

They both broke down when describing the impact going to jail will have on their three children.

The pair looked surprised when Judge Ralph Coolahan refused bail ahead of their sentencing on April 13.

Their family and friends burst into tears when they were lead to the underground Court cells.

Brett's brother, former Newcastle Knights player and convicted drug dealer, Danny Wicks is expected to be sentenced on May 3

here

 

[poledriver]

Drug chemicals found at Canning Aquatic Centre

Police are investigating the discovery of dangerous chemicals used to manufacture drugs in the car park of the Canning Aquatic Centre.

Officers received a call from a member of the public this morning who had found chemicals, syringes and other items in the car park.

The area has been cordoned off while officers from the Organised Crime Squad examine the scene.

It is believed the items have been used in a clandestine drug lab.

here

 

[Mr Blonde]

After the ecstasy, Firth's husband on good behaviour bond

April 1, 2011 - 10:24AM
The husband of former NSW education minister Verity Firth has been placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond after pleading guilty to possessing one tablet of ecstasy.

In the Downing Centre Local Court today, Matthew Chesher, 44, admitted to possessing the tablet in Sydney's inner west on January 28.

Chesher resigned from his job as chief of staff to the then roads minister David Borger soon after.

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His lawyer, Matt Johnston, told the magistrate that Chesher had a history of suffering from a depressive and anxiety disorder and had been treated with anti-depressants for many years.

Mr Johnston said the stress of Chesher's job in the lead-up to the offence had resulted in him starting to use drugs to deal with it.

The magistrate agreed not to record a conviction for Chesher, instead placing him on a 12-month good behaviour bond.

The magistrate noted Chesher had no prior criminal record and that references given to the court spoke highly of him.

He told Chesher there was no such thing as a "recreational" drug, adding that it was ultimately his choice "how you go about your life".

He wished him good luck and said that having read the material before the court he did not expect Chesher to reoffend.

Meanwhile, the Greens are poised to win their first lower house seat after pulling ahead of Verity Firth in Balmain.

Jamie Parker now leads Ms Firth by 203 votes, with 89 per cent of the vote counted.

AAP and smh.com.au

Link.

 

[poledriver]

Man to front court over drug lab

A man has been charged after police found a drug laboratory at Oysters Creek, north of Bundaberg.

Police searched a house yesterday, when the lab was found.

A 53-year-old man is facing one count of producing a dangerous drug and one of possessing equipment used in crime.

He is due to appear in the Bundaberg Magistrates Court next month.

here

 

[poledriver]

North coast tops state for drug labs

The mid north coast is at the top of the state's list, of areas where police have busted drug labs.

The New South Wales Drug Squad seized 96 drug labs across the state last year; an increase of almost 40 per cent on previous year.

The squad's Detective Inspector Nick Iorfino, says the greatest numbers were found around Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay and Tweed Heads.

He says 'backyard' labs are extremely dangerous.

"The process involves a combination of chemicals, which are often toxic, poisonous and carcinogenic," he said.

"They are produced using a bit of scientific equipment or improvised equipment, which heightens the dangers of these laboratories.

"Not only in the short term for explosions and we've seen deaths and injuries as a result of these explosions, but also the long term effects."

here

 

[poledriver]

Drug labs raided in Nannup

Police from the Organised Crime Squad have raided two drug labs on a farming property at Nannup, south of Perth.

They have also seized three kilograms of cannabis, six rifles and a small amount of cash.

Ten cannabis plants were also found growing on crown land near the farm.

Police say the individuals allegedly involved in the manufacture of the drugs came to their attention through Operation Stop.

The program was set up last year to monitor sales of pseudoephedrine and other drugs at pharmacies around the state.

Police say investigations into the labs are continuing.

here