NSW ice seizure breaks records

[waterboy 2.0]

NSW ice seizure breaks records

• From: AAP
• February 28, 2013 8:46AM

Australian Police and customs authorities have seized 585 kilograms of methamphetamine. Source: AAP

MEMBERS of a drug syndicate involved in importing more then half a tonne of the drug ice into Australia went to "considerable lengths" to escape detection, police say.

An operation involving federal and NSW police has led to the seizure of a record 585 kilograms of the drug, worth up to $438 million, and the arrest of three people who were allegedly trying to take possession of the drugs.

Those arrested are a 21-year-old Australian, a 32-year-old Singapore national and a 51-year-old Hong Kong national.

The operation began in September last year after a tip-off from a member of the public who noticed suspicious activity near a storage unit at West Ryde, in Sydney's northwest.

AFP Commissioner Tony Negus said the syndicate showed an understanding of law enforcement methods, but were outsmarted because of "solid intelligence".

"This operation demonstrates that the AFP and its partners have the capability to detect and dismantle the most sophisticated organised crime groups," he said on Thursday.

The AFP said customs officers identified four sea cargo consignments linked to the investigation in February.On February 22 they found 38 plastic bags in six one-tonne bags marked as a cleaning chemical.

The contents tested positive as methamphetamine, police said.The methamphetamine seizure, following raids across Sydney's southwest was the largest on record in Australia, The Joint Organised Crime Group said.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/nsw-ice-seizure-breaks-records/story-fn3dxiwe-1226587379172

[qualia]

i think the bigger story here is the lack of grammar education in journalists,

[waterboy 2.0]

^ when they run the papers on mostly cadets these days its no surprise

Also updated at 11am with more juicy on-line content selling titbits

Edited February 28, 2013 by waterboy

[Jox]

outsmarted because of "solid intelligence".

No!

Thanks to a tip-off from a member of the public!

"This operation demonstrates that the AFP and its partners have the capability to detect and dismantle the most sophisticated organised crime groups," he said on Thursday.

Thanks to a tip-off . They seem to like to take all the credit! Were would the AFP be without nosy public?

Edited February 28, 2013 by Jox

[PhoenixSon]

cops will have enough material for their easter bash!

50% + will probably still hit the streets.

i reckon cops are the biggest gang of thugs around.

[goneski]

"This operation demonstrates that the AFP and its partners have the capability to detect and dismantle the most sophisticated organised crime groups," he said on Thursday.

What about all the busts they don't make? Maybe they just got lucky this once off.

[ghosty]

whatever some opions here, i think this garbage is damaging to people and communities. im saying, well done in this case =)

[goneski]

Agreed. It is garbage and fucks a lot of people up. But that doesn't change the fact that there's still demand for it, it's fucking expensive, and people are obviously willing to take the risk t import / manufacturer / shelve it up their bum / whatever. It's just a vicious cycle. Busts probably won't change that when the incentive is so strong.

Preaching to the choir, I know.

[Yawning Man]

^^^ You got it. Busts like this really are just band-aid solutions to issues like drug use/addiction. If this country legalised this drug (or decriminalise it whatever), is the result that people would have to source their drug through government sources such as a registered pharmacy etc, therefore reducing their exposure to criminal elements, reducing harm because of known purity and safe using equipment, using areas as well as linking them into a drug and alcohol service or rehabililtation unit or something like this?

That way, if people know they can always get their drug, at a set price and not have to fuck around with dealers who are dangerous and will most likely rip them they will choose this option, taking away the financial incentive for the dealers and shit. And always being around health professionals, nurses, doctors, mental health clinicians and AOD workers will help educated users and most likely see an increase in people using these services, leading to more funding (hopefully) and a decrease in drug related crime and violence and hopefully a reduction in people using this drug.

Is that what will happen?

[Thelema]

there should be a policy shift back to straight amphetamine being less illegal. Early '90s when people were doing speed it wasn't really fucking people's lives up. Should have stayed at that level, but no, a lot of people thought instead to start adding a fucking methyl group to the end and the consequent problems of that little methyl group then wreaked SO much havoc.

Back to the days of bennies available OTC at the local pharmacy I say! The meth problem would probably virtually disappear overnight!

[kindness]

Yawning man, beautifully outlined description of drug policy for the future. I feel we are moving toward this end slowly.

[Bigred]

quote Terry O'gorman ( top criminal lawyer and old friend ) "this is how police work breaks down"

99% informers

.9% luck

.1% police work

Edited March 2, 2013 by bigred82