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Eight men charged – drugs and fire arms seized in joint action of police forces

Members of an organised crime syndicate importing drug precursor into Australia and exporting firearms into Papua New Guinea were charged for these offences.  This was the result of a joint investigation of The Australian Federal Police (AFP), Queensland Police Service (QPS) and Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS). It is also alleged that the syndicate has links to two large-scale cannabis plantations in Northern Queensland.

Ten liters of Phenyl-2-Propanone (P2P) has been seized in the operation and eight people have been charged with various offences. P2P is a precursor used to manufacture drugs such as methamphetamine or ‘ice’. The P2P seized can be used to produce approximately 9.8 kilograms of methamphetamine. The street value of the same is estimated at $2.5 million dollars.

Following the discovery of a large cannabis plantation in a remote location near Herberton in Northern Queensland, AFP and QPS arrested four people. Execution of search warrants resulted in the seizure of approximately 920 plants. On the basis of these findings two men aged 46 and 45 and two women  aged 55 and 25 were charged with state drug offences. The AFP with assistance from QPS and ACBPS also seized seven liters of P2P imported to Australia from Papua New Guinea.

AFP along with QPS and ACBPS executed 10 search warrants in Cairns, Herberton, Bamaga and Badu Island (Torres Strait) and recovered three liters of P2P and charged five men as follows. The 45-year-old Herberton man was charged for importing marketable quantity of border controlled precursor. A 39-year-old Bamaga man was charged with importing marketable quantity border controlled precursor.

A 32-year-old Badu Island man was charged with import of a commercial quantity of a border controlled precursor. A 38-year-old Badu Island man was charged with one count of pre-trafficking a commercial quantity of controlled precursors. A 29-year-old Cairns man was charged with aiding and abetting pre-trafficking a commercial quantity of controlled precursors. The offences charged on the accused can attract a maximum fine of up to $850,000 and or 25 years in prison.

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Joint operation arrest six and confiscate 90 kilograms of methamphetamine

 

Multi agency investigation involving Australian Federal Police (AFP) Western Australia Police (WAPOL), the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) ended up in the arrest of six people and seizure of 90 kilograms of methamphetamine.

Investigation started with information on a South-East Asian-based syndicate sending members to Australia for importation and trafficking of crystal methamphetamine. Following this was seizure of 117kgs of crystal methamphetamine made in an inner-city Melbourne apartment. Four Taiwanese nationals were arrested and charged with offences relating to the possession of crystal methamphetamine.

In continuation three search warrants were executed in the suburbs of Queens Park and Cloverdale in Western Australia. As a result approximately 90 kilograms of methamphetamine was seized. Along with this  85 kilograms of a substance believed to be methamphetamine were located in an apartment in Queens Park. For trafficking drugs three male Taiwanese nationals aged 25, 24, 20-year-old were arrested.

In addition five kilograms of methamphetamine was  seized during in Cloverdale. For possession of  a prohibited drug with intent to sell or supply three male Taiwanese nationals aged 25, two aged 27 were each charged. The charges put together can attract a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Involvement of any Sydney customs broker in this importation is not immediately available.

According to Commander Rippon, this multi-agency operation has disrupted a serious and organised crime syndicate operating within Australia. This is also a testament to our combined determination to target and disrupt syndicates involved in the drug trade in Australia.

In addition, this seizure will reduce social damage to the community on account of the large amount of the addictive drug reaching the people Western Australia. According to reliable sources 90 kilogram of methamphetamine could have resulted in 900,000 street deals of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $63 million.

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Methamphetamine concealed in audio equipment seized

Routine x-ray of a consignment revealed anomalies in a consignment at the Brisbane International Mail Facility.  Following this, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) officers selected two packages for examination. During examination they found methamphetamine concealed in audio equipment. Two Chinese men aged 23 and 25 were charged and arrested in this connection.

Officers of ACBPS found car power amplifiers with bags of a suspicious white crystalline substance. This was hidden in the place where the circuit boards should have been. Chemical tests and analysis showed that the white powder was approximately two kilograms of methamphetamine.

The case was subsequently transferred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for further investigation and follow up. Following this AFP conducted a controlled delivery to the South Brisbane Post Office. Two Chinese men came to collect the packages and were arrested. Involvement of any Brisbane based customs broker is not made available by the investigation team.

Search was conducted in a residence in Southport on the Gold Coast and found empty boxes of amplifiers. This was almost similar to the packages intercepted by ACBPS. Here also the investigating officers found clip-seal plastic bags containing traces of a crystalline substance, electronic scales and two metal bowls containing traces of a crystalline substance.

The two men arrested charged with one count of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of border controlled drug contrary to section 307.5 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) and one count of importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drug contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). For the charges made against the accused, maximum penalty is life imprisonment and or 7,500 penalty units.

According to Dr Ben Evans, ACBPS Regional Commander Queensland, Customs and Border Protection is committed to stopping illegal drugs reaching our streets. Highly trained officers have the intelligence, technology and expertise to stop these shipments at the border.

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AFP arrest man with 98.80 kilograms of cocaine

 

 

A 38-year-old Bradbury man was charged by The Australian Federal Police (AFP) for attempting to import a total of 98.8 kilograms of cocaine into Australia. The investigation in this case was initiated after the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) Officers intercepted two kite board bags. These bags had a total of 74.8 kilograms of cocaine.

The ACBPS officers intercepted the bags before they entered the designated baggage carousel of the Sydney International Airport terminal. It was found that a Sydney Airport maintenance worker was waiting for the arrival of the two board bags in the designated baggage terminal.

This led to additional investigation by AFP members. The officers found out that the same man removed a similar package. The baggage, a golf bag is believed to contain 24 kilograms of cocaine. According to  trade estimates, the total street value of the drugs is $18.96 million. Involvement of any Sydney customs broker in this case is unlikely since this is a clear case of smuggling.

Cocaine, also known as coke, is commonly snorted, inhaled as smoke, or dissolved and injected into a vein. It is the second most frequently used illegal drug globally, after cannabis. Cocaine is addictive due to its effect on the reward pathway in the brain. What is sold on the street is commonly mixed with local anesthetics, cornstarch, quinine, or sugar, which can result in additional toxicity.

Wayne Buchhorn, AFP Sydney Airport Police Commander said the seizure of cocaine and subsequent arrest is the culmination of a fool proof investigation. The whole process received active support and cooperation from the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, the Sydney Airport Corporation and other organisations working  the airport.

According to Tim Fitzgerald, ACBPS Regional Commander NSW the success in this case shows the dedication and ongoing hard work of Customs and Border Protection officers. These efforts will control movement of illegal substances into the country.

The charge levelled against the  38-year-old is of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely cocaine, pursuant to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth.) by virtue of Conspiracy, pursuant to section 11.5(1) of the Criminal Code 1995.

Importing methamphetamine in frozen fish fillets, two men charged
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Importing methamphetamine in frozen fish fillets, two men charged

Joint Organised Crime Group (JOCG) confiscated 88 kilograms of heroin and 21 kilograms of methamphetamine in frozen fish fillets. In this connection two men have been charged with drug offences.

The Joint Organised Crime Group-JOCG includes members from the NSW Police Force (NSWPF), Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS), NSW Crime Commission (NSWCC) and the Australian Crime Commission (ACC).

On the basis of intelligence provided by ACBPS, investigation started when a 57-year-old Vietnamese/Canadian national arrived in Australia. Later the ACBPS officers intercepted a consignment from Kuala Lumpur linked to the suspect containing three pallets of white polystyrene boxes containing frozen fish.

Preliminary investigation showed ice packs contained an assortment of clear and brown liquids hidden beneath frozen fish. On testing by the ACBPS officers, it was found that the brown liquid contained heroin and the clear liquid contained methamphetamine. No Sydney customs brokers name is associated with this importation.

In September JOCG started controlled investigation and contents of the consignment were substituted with an inert substance. The two accused in the case allegedly accessed the consignment and removed the contents of the polystyrene boxes.

This was followed up in September with two search warrants in Fairfield. A number of items including a makeshift heavy duty press, which can be used to compress bricks of heroin were recovered. In this connection two dual Canadian-Vietnamese nationals were arrested and charged.

According to Ramzi Jabbour, AFP National Manager Serious and Organised Crime, AFP will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to ensure illicit drugs do not reach the streets of Australia. AFP and along with partner organisations will ensure the safety of the Australian community by stopping organised crime groups attempting to import illicit substances.

Though there can be variations on the basis of purity, 88 kilograms of heroin can be converted to 780,000 street deals. The street value of this consignment can be $54 million dollars. Seizure of 21kg of methamphetamine, a very dangerous drugs along with the heroin is a major success for the Joint Organised Crime Group (JOCG).

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Methamphetamine concealed in porcelain toilets seized

From a consignment of 70 boxes of porcelain toilets at the Melbourne Container Examination Facility, law enforcement agencies seized 50 kilograms of methamphetamine. This was the result of a joint operation between the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS), Australian Crime Commission (ACC) and Victoria Police.

The 50 kilograms of methamphetamine seized can be converted into approximately 500,000 street deals. The estimated street value is approximately AUD $50 million. A Melbourne man was arrested in this connection. Police allege that the 33-year-old Kings Park man was responsible for facilitating the importation of the methamphetamine.

Investigation started in July 2014 and ACBPS officers intercepted and x-rayed a consignment of 70 boxes of porcelain toilets at the Melbourne Container Examination Facility. In the examination that followed, 17 packages of a crystalline substance was found in two boxes. The packets weighted approximately three kilograms and testing proved the substance was methamphetamine. The Taskforce did not reveal identity of any Sydney Customs Broker related to this case.

Following this, Joint Organised Crime Taskforce (JOCTF), established to target organised crime operating in Victoria, took charge of the investigation.  The Taskforce allege that the methamphetamine were moved to the 33-year-old man’s mother’s Kings Park residence and the 33-year-old man was arrested at Southbank following the JOCTF investigation.

In addition to this, AFP and Victoria Police executed search warrants on six premises in Kings Park, Taylors Hill, Southbank, South Melbourne and Tullamarine. They seized approximately $70,000 cash and three casino chips valued at $1000 each.

The arrested 33-year-old man will be charged by the AFP for the following offences. Importing a commercial quantity border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to subsection 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code(Cth). Attempting to possess commercial quantities of border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to sections 307.5 and 11.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth). The accused can get a maximum penalty of life imprisonment for the offences charged.

Man arrested for money laundering and drug import
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Man arrested for money laundering and drug import

 

On the basis of an AFP investigation, a Burnside man was charged for the importation of almost six kilograms of methamphetamine, identity crime offences and money laundering. Investigation was into the activities of the 26-year-old Burnside man, who police allege is the head of a criminal syndicate operating within the Congolese community in Melbourne.

Police allege that the man imported approximately 5.9 kilograms of drugs on a number of occasions, and produced and used false documents for money laundering activities. On the basis of the investigation,  the  Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) officers identified three consignments addressed to one of the false identities linked to the alleged offender.

The investigation team unearthed methamphetamine from all the three consignments. First one was concealed within the lining of a suitcase. The second one was concealed within a tea set. The third one was within a box of USB drives. The ACBPS examination and analysis confirmed the presence of methamphetamine in all the three consignments.

Investigation was later passed on to the AFP team along with the consignments with a combined weight of 1.9 kilograms. In April 2014 another package linked to the alleged offender was seized and was found to contain 248 grams of methamphetamine. Following this, in May 2014, AFP officers executed search warrants at the home address of the alleged offender. The search resulted in the seizure of 3.7 kilograms of methamphetamine, two false South African passport and $96,500 in cash.

According to Jennifer Hurst, AFP Manager Crime Operations the community will benefit from the disruption of this syndicate since the criminal syndicate was importing drugs and taking steps to conceal the profits it made.

The accused in this case will be charged with importing a commercial quantity of methamphetamine, contrary to subsection 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 and knowingly producing false documents contrary to subsection 137(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing Act 2006. The maximum penalty for the offences can be life imprisonment.

Methamphetamine hidden inside machinery seized, two Taiwanese men arrested
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Methamphetamine hidden inside machinery seized, two Taiwanese men arrested

 

Twelve kilograms of methamphetamine was recovered hidden inside machinery from China by Australian Federal Police (AFP). Two Taiwanese men have been arrested in this connection for the alleged imports.

A consignment described as ‘Torque Testers’ arrived in Sydney from China as sea cargo in June 2014. On information received about the suspicious nature of the consignment, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) ordered further investigation. Initially the consignment was subject to an inconclusive x-ray. Subsequently the ACBPS officers physically examined the consignment which consisted of five wooden crates, each containing a black metal ‘Torque Tester’.

On detailed examination and routine chemical analysis, officers found that all of the five objects  contained approximately 2.5 kilograms of methamphetamine. The total weight was estimated to be 12 kilograms. The case was subsequently handed over to Australian Federal Police. The AFP has not named any Sydney customs broker involved in this case.

A simulated delivery of the consignment was effected to a residence in the Sydney suburb of Eastwood by the AFP officers. The consignment was taken into possession by 31 and 24-year-old Taiwanese nationals. They were arrested by the AFP for taking possession of the consignment.

The accused two Taiwanese nationals were charged with attempt to possess a commercial quantity of a controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.5, by virtue of section 11.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995. The 31-year-old man was also charged with import a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). The accused can get a maximum punishment of life imprisonment for the charges levelled against them.

According to Jennifer Hurst, AFP Manager Crime Operations AFP is committed to stop harmful drugs from reaching Australian communities. Success of this investigation is a yet another example of Australian law enforcement agencies working together to stop drug menace in the country.

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Strike Force Duperry seize 60 kilograms of ‘Ice’ precursor and arrest members of drug syndicate

 

Following investigation in Sydney, detectives of Strike Force Duperry seized close to 60 kilograms of precursor drugs and arrested a number of people.

Strike Force Duperry is a team investigating in to drug trafficking with members from NSW Police Force’s Organised Crime Squad, the Australian Crime Commission and the NSW Crime Commission, with support and assistance provided by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS).

In May 2014, State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad seized 15 kilograms of pseudoephedrine and arrested six men and one woman in Auburn. They were charged for large commercial drug supply. After the arrests, detectives executed search warrants at properties in Berala, Auburn (two properties), Wentworth Point, Granville, and Merrylands.

From Berala, officers seized one kilogram of pseudoephedrine and items associated with the supply of drugs. From Auburn, detectives seized one ounce of methylamphetamine, three passports suspected of being counterfeit, half a kilogram of powder believed to be precursor drugs, mobile phones, cash and documents. From second property in Auburn, police seized a mobile phone and implements associated with drug use.

Earlier Strike Force Duperry had seized SKS Assault Rifle and 300 rounds of ammunition, two kilograms of methylamphetamine (‘Ice’), with a potential street value of $2 million, 870 grams of heroin with a potential street value of $870,000 also $18,000 in cash alleged to be the proceeds of crime.

In the opinion Andrew Scipione, NSW Police Commissioner present day crime syndicates are complex, multi-faceted international operations. Here criminals from different backgrounds combine their resources to dodge law enforcement agencies, commit crime and make illegal money.
In order to counter this threat, agencies are working closer with interstate and international colleagues.

According to Chris Dawson, Australian Crime Commission Chief Executive Officer, the agencies together have dismantled a high risk, serious and organised crime syndicate. The success of this operation is an outcome of state and Commonwealth agencies pooling their resources and knowledge.

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Methamphetamine concealed in audio speakers seized, Nigerian national charged

 

A 44-year-old Nigerian national was charged with importing methamphetamine and heroin into Australia. The imports were through air cargo and international mail. This was the result of a joint operation between Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS).

The ACBPS officers noticed anomalies in two packages that were marked as audio speakers and handbags. On detailed examination of these packages, they found the packages contained a white crystalline substance concealed inside. Preliminary level testing showed the material to be methamphetamine. Approximate total weight of the substances was 1.6 kilograms.

The investigation and follow up were done by the AFP. Subsequently search warrants were conducted in the Sydney suburbs of Menai and Peakhurst. As a result of these warrants, police discovered approximately $60,000 in cash. This cash is alleged to be the proceeds of crime. The warrants also resulted in the recovery of an additional 300grams of methamphetamine and 300grams of heroin.

According to Commander Jennifer Hurst, AFP Manager Crime Operations, Australian law enforcement agencies including AFP is well aware of different methods used by drug smugglers. Agencies are also geared and committed to targeting and combating drug smuggling. Moreover the success of these operations is an effective demonstration of the combined efforts of the AFP and ACBPS.

Jagtej Singh, ACBPS National Manager Cargo Operations is of the view that the successful completion of this operation sends a strong message to both Australian-based and international drug syndicates not to import drugs into Australia. Also those who breach Australian border face the combined force of Customs and Border Protection and federal and state law enforcement partners.

The accused was charged with – Importation of a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, importation of a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug, providing false or misleading information to a reporting entity, providing false or misleading information to a reporting entity, possession of a marketable quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug, possession of a marketable quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug and dealing with property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime. The maximum penalty for these offences can go up to life imprisonment.