NEWS : 29.909 - Chemical Diversion Congress 21-23 October 2009

[kingpin007]

Police warn of dangers associated with clandestine drug labs in lead up to Chemical Diversion Congress

Tuesday, 29 Sep 2009 04:40pm

Drug Squad detectives have today issued a warning about the dangers of clandestine drug labs in the lead-up to the Australasian Chemical Diversion Congress next month, and following two successful drug operations conducted yesterday.

The three day international conference will be hosted by the NSW Police Force Drug Squad and will feature representatives from law enforcement, pharmaceutical companies and industry experts to tackle the problem of illegal drug manufacturing.

The Australasian Chemical Diversion Congress 2009 (ACDC) will be held at the Sofitel Wentworth Hotel in Sydney from October 21-23.

The NSW Police Force conducts regular anti drug operations in an effort to tackle drug related crime across the state.

Most recently, a 51-year-old man was arrested by police from the Miranda Local Area Command after he was found attempting to purchase pseudoephedrine based cold and flu tablets with fake identification at a chemist in Westfield’s at Miranda about 2.30pm yesterday.

He was taken to Miranda Police Station where he was charged with possess precursor, deal in the proceeds of crime, and use a false instrument. He was refused bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court today.

In a separate operation, Drug Squad detectives and Lake Macquarie Local Area Command have conducted an investigation following a report by staff at a motel at Swansea about 10am yesterday, regarding a possible clan lab in on of the rooms.

Investigations are continuing.

Drug Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Nick Bingham, has issued a warning about the dangers of clandestine labs in public and suburban areas.

“The types of chemicals used in the manufacture of drugs are toxic and can be hazardous if used in confined areas.

“As such, the use of such chemicals in areas accessible by the public, or in areas such as residential housing, can prove dangerous.

“Anyone who suspects they may be living or working near a possible clandestine laboratory, is urged to contact their local police station immediately, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” Det/Supt Nick Bingham said.

The Australasian Chemical Diversion Congress 2009 is now in its’ 13th year and for the first time in Sydney, brings together all the agencies which are committed to preventing the diversion of precursor chemicals into the manufacture of deadly amphetamines such as methylamphetamine (ice/speed) and MDMA (ecstasy).

Police urge members of the public to get involved and remind the public that everyone has a key role to play in detecting, preventing and disrupting drug related criminal activity.

Anyone interested in attending the Australasian Chemical Diversion Congress 2009, is urged to register on the official ACDC website at www.acdc2009.com as soon as possible.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/l...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjgwOTMuaHRtbCZhbGw9MQ==

 

[kingpin007]

Here is the link to the website , seems it's going to be a big conference from the looks of things -->

http://www.acdc2009.com/Default.htm

 

[lil angel15]

Thanks for the link kingpin.

 

[Ignatius J.]

If the pigs are gathering in Sydney, I feel the drug culture should be represented as well...

BUT dammnn registration is expensive, $595 wow. Darn, I would have loved to run a savage burn on the Wentworth Hotel too. hahaha.

 

[kingpin007]

^^

Im sure we will see and hear a detailed report on tv news or similar.

would be good time for 60 mins to do their story on ecstasy that we have all been waiting for

 

[kingpin007]

Global drug conference ends with new resolutions

Saturday, 24 Oct 2009 07:06am

The Australasian Chemical Diversion Congress (ACDC 2009) has concluded in Sydney with a resolution to make the real time recording of pseudoephedrine product sales compulsory for all pharmacies across the country.

The congress also resolved to tighten national security and perceived vulnerabilities in the transport and storage of precursor chemicals which are being targeted by organised crime gangs for theft and infiltration.

At the three-day congress - which was hosted by NSW Police Force and ended yesterday (Friday 23 October) - law enforcement officers, pharmaceutical companies and industry experts from around the world joined together to develop strategies to tackle the illegal manufacture and trade of synthetic drugs, such as methylamphetamine (ice) and MDMA (ecstasy).

“The congress has been a great success,” said Detective Superintendent Nick Bingham, Commander of the NSW Drug Squad. “Only by working together can we have a serious impact on the drug trade and make it harder for crooks to make these dangerous drugs.”

The resolutions include:

· All States and Territories adopt mandatory real time recording of all pseudoephedrine product sales (cold and flu tablets) in pharmacies to target suspicious buys and known offenders;
· National Chemical Diversion Desk to co-ordinate intelligence on precursor diversion and overcoming border issues with states having different legislation on precursor chemicals;
· Review the chemical and scientific code of practice to strengthen the protocols for the storage, transport and security of precursor chemicals to prevent robberies and theft;
· Police working with GPs to raise their awareness of criminal “doctor shopping” for pseudoephedrine scripts. Police predict this will become a growing problem as a result of tighter controls on the sale of pseudo products at pharmacies;
· The New Zealand Methylamphetamine Action Plan that makes pseudo products prescription only will be monitored and evaluated as to its effectiveness and relevance within Australasia.

“By having 100 percent of NSW pharmacies using real time recording of pseudo product sales will really restrict the criminals desperately seeking this chemical,” Det Supt Bingham said.

“The resolutions so far give us a great base to work from for next year’s congress in the Pacific region. The illegal drug industry is so dynamic that the annual congress ensures industry, pharmacy and police continue the focus on the synthetic drug trade.”

The congress heard from international keynote speakers such as Special Agent Tommy Farmer from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Meth Taskforce who said trends of spiking synthetic drug manufacture in the US mirrored that of Australia’s trends.

“We don’t exactly know why but the trends in Tennessee and WA and NSW are almost identical. By seeing what the Australians are doing and by sharing our initiatives with them helps us all,” Special Agent Farmer said.

Also discussed at the conference was the increasing trend of the illegal importation of “masked” precursor chemicals which could simply be reverted into substances used for drug manufacture and the proliferation of “box labs” being found in NSW. These are very small clan labs but could still process the illicit drugs.

To date this year, NSW Police Force officers have seized more than 40kg of amphetamines with an estimated street value of more than $21.5 million in raids across the state. This is more than the total for the whole of 2008 which was $21.2 million.

In terms of clandestine laboratory raids, NSWPF dismantled 55 dangerous and toxic labs in 2008 and already this year has dismantled 59 - two of which were located during the congress at Prestons and Tweed Heads.

“Synthetic drugs are the scourge of our society and the more precursor chemicals we can prevent being diverted into manufacture, the better,” Det Supt Bingham said.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/l...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjg0NzIuaHRtbCZhbGw9MQ==