Mr Giggles
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2000
- Messages
- 362
Designer drugs found in Kingston bar raid
By MONIKA BOOGS
A police crack-down on drug use in Canberra's nightclub scene resulted in a raid at
a Kingston bar in the early hours of yesterday morning.
The raid at Lot 33 is the first to be conducted at Canberra nightclubs and bars as
part of Operation Skeet, a police campaign against the manufacture, supply and
use of ecstasy, amphetamines and cocaine and licensing breaches such as
overcrowding and under-age drinking.
Sniffer dogs, police, ACT Liquor Licensing, Customs officers and ACT Fire Brigade
officers entered Lot 33 at 1.45am, asking for the music to be turned off, informing
patrons why they were there, and asking them to leave.
Patrons leaving the club walked past the police and Customs sniffer dogs, who
reacted to some of the people. Police used their emergency powers to search
them.
Once the patrons were gone, police found 21 packets of various drugs that had
been dropped on the floor and behind seats.
Australian Federal Police Commander Operations Ben McDevitt said police
intelligence showed most dealing in cocaine, ecstasy and amphetamines in the ACT
was occurring in Canberra's nightspots.
"Those involved in the liquor industry, and nightclubs particularly, should consider
themselves on notice," he said. "Police are directing their efforts to stamp out this
illegal activity."
Detective Superintendent Ray Sweeny said the raid followed six months' work as part of Operation Skeet to stop
drug use and dealing.
In the first phase of the operation police have targeted major suppliers of designer drugs. The second phase will
involve nightclubs and bars where police believe designer drugs are being sold and used.
More than 10 search warrants have been executed in the past six months resulting in the arrest of 11 people and
the seizure of 1620 ecstasy tablets, three ounces of amphetamines, nearly $40,000 in cash and a number of
unlicensed or illegal weapons.
Mr Sweeny said the manufacture, supply and use of designer drugs, in particular ecstasy, were increasing in the
ACT.
"Our intelligence would suggest that for every one person taking ecstasy five years ago, another 10 young people
are experimenting with the drug today," he said.
"Ecstasy and other designer drugs have become very much a part of the nightclub scene in Canberra.
"As well as locking up the people dealing these drugs, our aim in this operation is to give people a clear message
that the use of designer drugs is both illegal and dangerous."
The operation also includes targeting the spiking of drinks for financial gain and rape.
Mr Sweeny said police intelligence suggested there had been a sharp increase in people's drinks being spiked in
recent months, and urged anyone who thought they had been drugged to report the incident.
The third part of the operation will be launched today when police begin an education campaign.
A 28-year-old man has been charged with possession of a prohibited substance for sale or supply.
Police are also interviewing several people who were at Lot 33 yesterday morning.
By MONIKA BOOGS
A police crack-down on drug use in Canberra's nightclub scene resulted in a raid at
a Kingston bar in the early hours of yesterday morning.
The raid at Lot 33 is the first to be conducted at Canberra nightclubs and bars as
part of Operation Skeet, a police campaign against the manufacture, supply and
use of ecstasy, amphetamines and cocaine and licensing breaches such as
overcrowding and under-age drinking.
Sniffer dogs, police, ACT Liquor Licensing, Customs officers and ACT Fire Brigade
officers entered Lot 33 at 1.45am, asking for the music to be turned off, informing
patrons why they were there, and asking them to leave.
Patrons leaving the club walked past the police and Customs sniffer dogs, who
reacted to some of the people. Police used their emergency powers to search
them.
Once the patrons were gone, police found 21 packets of various drugs that had
been dropped on the floor and behind seats.
Australian Federal Police Commander Operations Ben McDevitt said police
intelligence showed most dealing in cocaine, ecstasy and amphetamines in the ACT
was occurring in Canberra's nightspots.
"Those involved in the liquor industry, and nightclubs particularly, should consider
themselves on notice," he said. "Police are directing their efforts to stamp out this
illegal activity."
Detective Superintendent Ray Sweeny said the raid followed six months' work as part of Operation Skeet to stop
drug use and dealing.
In the first phase of the operation police have targeted major suppliers of designer drugs. The second phase will
involve nightclubs and bars where police believe designer drugs are being sold and used.
More than 10 search warrants have been executed in the past six months resulting in the arrest of 11 people and
the seizure of 1620 ecstasy tablets, three ounces of amphetamines, nearly $40,000 in cash and a number of
unlicensed or illegal weapons.
Mr Sweeny said the manufacture, supply and use of designer drugs, in particular ecstasy, were increasing in the
ACT.
"Our intelligence would suggest that for every one person taking ecstasy five years ago, another 10 young people
are experimenting with the drug today," he said.
"Ecstasy and other designer drugs have become very much a part of the nightclub scene in Canberra.
"As well as locking up the people dealing these drugs, our aim in this operation is to give people a clear message
that the use of designer drugs is both illegal and dangerous."
The operation also includes targeting the spiking of drinks for financial gain and rape.
Mr Sweeny said police intelligence suggested there had been a sharp increase in people's drinks being spiked in
recent months, and urged anyone who thought they had been drugged to report the incident.
The third part of the operation will be launched today when police begin an education campaign.
A 28-year-old man has been charged with possession of a prohibited substance for sale or supply.
Police are also interviewing several people who were at Lot 33 yesterday morning.
