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NSW: Almost $260m
worth of drugs seized in 2009: govt SYDNEY, Feb 6 AAP - Almost $260 million worth of illicit drugs were seized by NSW Police in 2009, including enough heroin for 24 million hits, new figures show. NSW Police Minister Michael Daley said the latest crime statistics showed police seized more than $191 million of cannabis and cannabis plants, $17.8 million worth of heroin, $14 million worth of cocaine and almost $32 million worth of amphetamines. The amount of heroin seized equated to more than 24 million hits, Mr Daley said. "Hauls such as this also hamper crime syndicates and help keep would-be drug users out of our hospitals," he said in a statement on Saturday. "The fight against drugs isn't just one for law enforcement agencies to undertake - everyone in the community has a part to play. "If you know of any drug activity happening in your area, I strongly encourage you to alert your local police. |
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Stun gun, two litres of drug GHB found
in units - police SYDNEY, Feb 5 AAP - A stun gun was found along with drugs known as GHB and ice when officers swooped on two units in Sydney's south, police say. A man and a woman in their 30s were arrested after the O'Riordan Street homes in Mascot were raided on Thursday morning. Police allege almost two litres of GHB and a quantity of ice were discovered as well as the stun gun and jewellery believed to be the proceeds of crime. The pair were charged with drug offences, while the woman was also charged with possessing a prohibited weapon. They were refused bail to appear at Waverley Local Court on Friday. |
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NSW: Quick-thinking
women fend off armed robber SYDNEY, Feb 4 AAP - Two quick-thinking women have fended off an armed man who tried to rob their bottle shop in Sydney's west. Police say the workers were closing the front roller door of the Fairfield Heights shop about 10pm (AEDT) on Wednesday night when the man, armed with a gun, tried to break in. But they saw him coming and managed keep him out by holding the door shut while calling for help. The man fled and detectives are now seeking the public's help to find him. He is described as 165cm with a thin build and an olive/tanned complexion. He was wearing a black hooded jumper with 1960 written across the chest in white, black pants and white sneakers. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. |
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NSW: Skye's Law wins backing of
opposition and police By Patrick Caruana and Belinda Cranston SYDNEY, Feb 2 AAP - The NSW government has vowed to "come down hard" on people who spark high-speed car chases by imposing jail terms of three years for a first offence. Repeat offenders will face five years' imprisonment under new laws approved by state cabinet on Tuesday. The laws will serve as a powerful deterrent to motorists who may be tempted to flee from police, Premier Kristina Keneally says. "We are giving police the laws they need to come down hard on criminals who recklessly place the lives of officers and the public at risk," she told reporters. The legislation is expected to be known as Skye's Law, after 19-month-old Skye Sassine who was killed on New Year's Eve as police were pursuing two alleged robbers on a highway in Sydney's southwest. The fleeing men's car collided with her parents' Subaru on the Hume Highway at Ingleburn. Skye, who was strapped into a capsule in the rear seat, was killed in the crash. Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell says the coalition will back the changes when they are introduced to parliament. "Today's announcement is welcome," Mr O'Farrell told reporters. "It's worth reminding people that this proposal originated with a former highway patrolman in (opposition police spokesman) Mike Gallacher," he said. "Frankly, the acceptance of Mike Gallacher's idea today is state politics as it ought to work." The NSW Police Association said it was "good to see the new premier is listening and taking positive action to protect our streets". "We would have preferred to see mandatory sentencing included, but at least this is a step in the right direction," the association said in a statement. "Stronger laws are definitely a positive step - even if they prevent just one life from being lost." |
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NSW: Skye's Law
to fill a gap in police pursuit legislation SYDNEY, Feb 2 AAP - Tough new legislation to crack down on criminals who lead police on high-speed chases will fill a gap in the law, the NSW government says. The new laws follow a recent spate of police chases, including one that resulted in the death of 19-month-old Skye Sassine after two alleged robbers veered into her parents' car in Sydney's southwest on New Year's Eve. A new offence of aggravated dangerous driving has been created to more effectively punish any driver leading police on a dangerous or potentially life-threatening pursuit. People who lead police on such chases will face jail sentences of three years, and up to five years for repeated offences, regardless of whether anyone is hurt. The legislation will be introduced in state parliament later this month. "Whilst the legislation will formally be an amendment to the Crimes Act, it is likely that many in the community will call it Skye's Law," Premier Kristina Keneally told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday. "While that is understandable, we should never forget that this young girl's life, and her family's love for her is so much greater than one piece of legislation." Under existing laws, the offence of failing to stop when instructed by police carries a one year penalty, and dangerous driving occasioning death while in a police pursuit carries a maximum sentence of 14 years. "What these new offences do is fill a gap, a gap that now exists between these low level offences and more serious driving charges," Ms Keneally said. Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said there had been a marked drop in police pursuits over the past five years, with 1800 incidents recorded five years ago, compared to 2200 in 2005. "Interestingly, well over half of these, something like 65 per cent of those pursuits, come about as a result of a traffic offence," Mr Scipione said. "But of course the problem that frontline police officers deal with daily, because someone has broken a road law, you still don't know what it is that has caused them to do that." |
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Woman escaped assault by jumping in
river: police SYDNEY, Feb 1 AAP - Two people have been charged after they allegedly indecently assaulted a woman who jumped into a northern NSW river to escape. On Saturday afternoon, a 23-year-old Casino woman met a 44-year-old man and 42-year-old woman at a pub in Casino, on the state's mid-north coast. The group went to a caravan park in South Grafton, where the couple offered to drive the young woman to her Casino home later in the evening. On their way to Casino, the man allegedly pulled the car into a camping ground at Lilydale and threatened the young woman. Police said she was indecently assaulted before she was able to escape by jumping into the Clarence River. The 23-year-old then went into a nearby home, where police were contacted. The couple, from South Grafton, were arrested at Grafton on Sunday afternoon and later charged with a range of offences, including three counts of aggravated indecent assault each. They are due to appear at Grafton Local Court on Monday. |
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NSW: Music festival busts help smash
ice ring say
police By Josh Jerga SYDNEY, Jan 29 AAP - Intelligence picked up in drug raids on Sydney music and dance festivals has helped smash a multi-million dollar ice syndicate. Police say seven people, believed to be of Filipino descent, were arrested after heavily armed police raided five separate homes across Sydney's west on Thursday night. Police discovered two laboratories in two Hinchinbrook homes, seizing an amount of chemicals and equipment allegedly used to manufacture crystal methamphetamine. Drugs were found in all the homes, including 200 ecstasy pills. Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith said drug operations at Sydney music festivals in the past six months, including Homebake, Parklife and Stereosonic, helped bust the ring. "Predominantly we started with intelligence we recovered from various dance parties and through drug dog detections and tip-offs we targeted this particular group," he told reporters on Friday. "We utilise and target that information and get to the bottom of who is dealing it, which they did in this case, which was very successful." Mr Smith said there had been 530 drug detections at Sydney music festivals during the past six months - an increase of 17 per cent. Six western Sydney men aged between 33 and 44 and a 28-year-old Cromer woman were all arrested and charged with supplying a prohibited drug. Mr Smith said it was believed the seven were the syndicate's masterminds, which had been put out of business. "We have taken out the core members of this group," he said. The raids were part of Strike Force Forsythe set up in November to target the distribution of ice in inner and southwest Sydney. So far police have seized 3.1kg of ice with an estimated street value of $3.7 million, which they say equals approximately 63,000 individual drug deals. Investigations are continuing with further arrests expected. |
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NSW: Third person to be charged with Indian man's
murder SYDNEY, Jan 29 AAP - A 25-year-old man arrested at Wagga Wagga will be the third person charged with murder after an Indian man was set alight while still alive and dumped beside a rural road. The body of Ranjodh Singh, 25, was found beside Wilga Road at Willbriggie, near Griffith, on December 29 last year. A 23-year-old man and his 20-year-old wife were arrested in Sydney's San Souci on Thursday and later charged with Mr Singh's murder. They have been refused bail and are expected to face Sutherland Local Court on Friday. Police said on Thursday they were seeking another man linked to the offence and he was arrested about 9am (AEDT) on Friday at Wagga Wagga. "A 25-year-old man is in custody at Wagga and we would expect to be charging him with murder later this morning and he will appear in Wagga Wagga Local Court at some stage today," Assistant Commissioner Mark Murdoch told Macquarie Radio on Friday. Mr Murdoch confirmed the three all knew Mr Singh, ruling out race as a motive for the killing. "We will allege that all three people that we've now detained over this matter were well acquainted with the victim, Mr Singh, and were involved in the fruit picking industry in the Griffith area," he said. "Mr Singh and the fellow who was taken into custody this morning were both residents of Wagga, notwithstanding they worked in Griffith. "Their association was simply a matter of working in the fruit-picking industry and quite obviously they became friends as a result of that." Mr Murdoch described the murder, which involved Mr Singh being burned alive, as a "horrific crime" that had "absolutely devastated" the victim's family. Mr Singh's body has been released by the coroner and his remains have been returned to his family in India. Investigators are still interested in hearing from witnesses including passengers on board a Countrylink bus service from Griffith to Wagga Wagga on December 29. Information is also sought about a 1996 red Ford Falcon sedan seen entering a Griffith car wash about 3am on December 29. "We are obviously alleging that the three people we've taken into custody have a very strong link to this car and we'd be wanting to hear from anyone who saw that car in the car wash at the time," Mr Murdoch said. |
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Fed: Worrying side effects attached to new
party drug By Andrew Drummond SYDNEY, Jan 29 AAP - In different forms it's been sold as plant food, but little is known about a new recreational drug hitting Australian streets, other than it prompts acts of horrendous self-mutilation by some users. Within the past few months in Sydney there have been reports one user tried to castrate himself while under the influence of the drug. Another severed half a finger using a kitchen appliance and degloved his penis in an apparent circumcision attempt. The drug in question is 4-methylmethcathinone or mephedrone - but more commonly known as 4-MMC, MMCAT, bubbles, megatron, bath salt or miaow miaow. As a derivative of methcathinone, the drug is a prohibited substance in Australia. Continuing to prove hugely popular on the UK clubbing scene, the drug is believed to be partly responsible for the deaths of a woman in Sweden in 2008 and a 14-year-old girl in England in November. It has since been made illegal in some European countries. The psychoactive drug creates a state of euphoria similar to, but not as extreme as cocaine, with an ecstasy-like hit at the end. Reports of little after-effects and a mild "come-down" have made the drug popular among young professionals who like to party at the weekend before having to return to work. Since September 2008, the Australian Federal Police (AFP), along with Australian Customs and the Border Protection Service, have detected 25 attempts to import a combined total of more than 20kg of the drug. An AFP spokeswoman confirmed that mephedrone "is a new drug that has emerged in Australia". While prohibited here, the drug is readily available for legal purchase abroad, predominantly in China and Israel. In Tasmania, police have labelled the drug "Israeli's", because of its country of source, and report its popularity with people who believe it's legal to possess. "We conducted an investigation at the start of the year and a number of persons were charged with trafficking," Tasmanian Police Detective Inspector Ian Lindsay told The Mercury newspaper in October last year. He added that since those charges were laid there had been a "dramatic reduction" in the amount of mephedrone seized across the state. In a report from the Tasmanian Department of Police and Emergency Management, the drug is said to have been possessed "in an attempt to circumvent existing legislation". In the Northern Territory, a 16-year-old boy faced Darwin Youth Justice Court on January 15 for allegedly importing 1kg of mephedrone, ordered online from a legitimate chemical company in China. The court heard the boy paid $8,000 and was expected to pay an additional $12,000 when the drug arrived, the NT News reported. The matter is ongoing. Brisbane-based RaveSafe project coordinator Michael Brennan said use of the drug in Australia was "worrying" and people continued to consume the substance without knowing its effects or what's used in its production. Typically, mephedrone is mixed with caffeine and the compound can take effect very quickly. However, for users of other recreational drugs, Mr Brennan said the effect may not be as strong as that to which they've become accustomed. "Reports are that it's incredibly more-ish, which can be a concern in itself," he said. "It is one thing to pop one or two tabs of ecstasy, but taking this stuff, they could be inclined to take several hundred milligrams. "In a way these things are more dangerous because people will take one or two doses and not get the effect they want so then they take a lot more of them. "When a substance like this comes up that was really only invented only a few years ago, it's hard to say what the effects will be, so it's really worrying to me. It's just a real unknown at this stage." Typically, the drug is purchased in crystal form and snorted for quick effect, but can also be taken orally. Mr Brennan said mephedrone had proven popular among ecstasy users, but added that few seemed to move onto long-term use. "I think some people are quite happy with that effect, that you don't get this terrible after-effect with it," he said. "A lot of ecstasy users have been taking it for a try, but a lot of long-term users have gradually lost the attraction to it. "And I would bet that 4MCC will slowly disappear into the background." As a stimulant, the drug affects the human cardio system and users have experienced varying symptoms including palpitations, paranoia, anxiety, depression, insomnia, headaches and short-term memory loss. In one case, documented in an online forum, following the consumption of about 10mg over a week, a male user noticed his fingers and knees turn a dark red to purple colour before he passed out. After about six months, including a short stint in hospital, the discolouration disappeared, but the symptoms returned after again trying a small amount of mephedrone. In the Sydney cases, it's unknown whether the male users were also under the influence of other substances, but online discussions about the drug frequently list paranoia as a common side-effect. Both men were hospitalised for their injuries, but NSW Health does not have a system in place to record how many patients have been admitted to hospital due to the drug. Nor is the use of mephedrone recorded by major agencies, including the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, or the Centre for Population Health. The Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users' League in Canberra has only anecdotal data about the drug. All agencies report having been made aware of the drug's existence in Australia since about 2008, but concede there is little or no information about mephedrone. Online forums suggest Australian use or sampling of the drug is most popular in states along the eastern seaboard. Part of the drug's appeal is its relative cheapness, with online advertisements for various forms of mephedrone available from $170 for 10mg. |
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NSW: Three
arrested during dawn Sydney raids SYDNEY, Jan 28 AAP - Heavily armed police have raided three Sydney homes arresting three men on allegations of kidnapping and extortion. The arrests on Thursday morning follow the detainment and threatening of a 37-year-old man at Condell Park in Sydney's southwest on January 7. Police allege the man went to the home of a 40-year-old man who threatened the victim, before the arrival of two other men, aged 27 and 39. "The 37-year-old was allegedly assaulted and detained in the house by the men while being threatened with violence if he failed to pay them a large sum of money," police said in a statement. About 6am (AEDT) on Thursday, police raided homes at Condell Park, Auburn and Campsie where the three alleged offenders were arrested. The trio are being questioned and police expect to lay charges. |
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NSW: Drunken revellers test police
patience on Aussie Day SYDNEY, Jan 26 AAP - As Australia Day celebrations wind down, 89 people in NSW have been charged mostly for drunken behaviour, police say. Revellers marked the anniversary of the First Fleet's arrival on Australian shores under the watchful eye of more than 2300 police in metropolitan Sydney and major regional centres in the state. One officer was punched in the face while attempting to break up a fight at Cronulla. In another incident, a man was reportedly struck with a glass during a brawl at a shopping centre at Nowra, on the south coast, just before 7pm (AEDT). Four people were taken into custody over the incident, including the injured man, who was treated by paramedics. A young man sustained critical head injuries after he apparently dived off a cliff at Newcastle's Bogie Hole just before 7pm. He was taken to John Hunter Hospital, where his condition has been described by police as grave. At Tea Gardens, north of Newcastle, police responded to a report that a 23-year-old man had fallen from a third-floor balcony. When paramedics attempted to treat him, however, a large number of people became aggressive towards them. Police used capsicum spray to subdue the group, and six people were arrested. The injured man was airlifted to hospital with head injuries. Assistant Commissioner Mark Murdoch said most of the incidents on Australia Day stemmed from alcohol abuse. "While the overwhelming majority of people celebrating Australia Day have enjoyed the day safely, a small number have chosen to ignore warnings," he said in a statement. "The fact that 89 people have already been arrested and charged demonstrates that police will not tolerate anti-social behaviour, some instances of which resulted in actual injuries." |
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NSW: Hooligans
arrested during Australia Day celebrations SYDNEY, Jan 26 AAP - Elements of Aussie larrikinism have kept police busy during Australia Day 2010 celebrations, with at least 40 people arrested in NSW for unruly behaviour. Many of the arrests occurred at Manly, on Sydney's northern beaches. Several young alcohol-affected people were arrested at The Corso and wharf area around midday, while another man was charged for shoplifting, police said. By 4.30pm (AEDT), 40 people had been arrested across the state. They were charged with offences ranging from offensive behaviour, resisting arrest, and assault. Most of the offences were alcohol-related, police said. At Coogee, in Sydney's east, a youth was arrested for throwing missiles at a bus at the intersection of Arden and Alfreda Streets about 3pm (AEDT). At Penrith, in Sydney's west, an unaccompanied learner driver was arrested. Police allege cannabis and a knife was inside their vehicle. At Parramatta, also in Sydney's west, three men were arrested after Rail Corp security officers were assaulted. Seven children aged between two and seven years of age became separated from their families throughout the day, mostly in the CBD, The Rocks and southern beachside suburbs. All have since been found safe and well. |
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NSW: Sydney
armed robbery followed by pursuit SYDNEY, Jan 25 AAP - Robbers threatened staff and patrons at a Sydney hotel with a firearm before fleeing, sparking a police pursuit. Emergency crews were called to the southern Sydney hotel on Railway Parade at Allawah on Sunday about 11.30pm (AEDT), "responding to reports that two men, one armed with a firearm, had threatened patrons and staff, demanding cash". After being given cash, the men left the pub. "A pursuit was initiated after a car believed to be involved in the robbery was seen on the Princes Highway. However, it was terminated due to safety concerns," police said in a statement on Monday. A crime scene was set up at the pub and witnesses have been interviewed. Anyone with information about the robbery should contact police by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. |
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NSW: Police urge motorists to take
it easy over Australia Day SYDNEY, Jan 24 AAP - An unlicensed motorcyclist has been caught flouting road rules twice in half an hour, as NSW police urge motorists to take it easy over the Australia Day holiday period. Police stopped the 28-year-old motorcyclist after he was allegedly caught travelling at 126km/h in an 80 km/h zone in North Sydney at 5.10am (AEDT) on Saturday. The man was issued with a court attendance notice after police checks found he had an expired learner's licence and the vehicle was unregistered. Half an hour later the St Leonards man was caught running a red light, police said. He was charged with several traffic offences and police seized the motorcycle. The charges come as NSW Police conduct Operation Safe Return, which began at midnight on Friday and ends just before midnight on Tuesday. One person has died since the beginning of the operation, when two vehicles collided on the Mitchell Highway east of Orange, in the state's central west, on Saturday morning. Police have so far issued 1,027 infringement notices for speeding and laid 84 drink driving charges. Traffic Services Commander, Assistant Commissioner John Hartley, is urging drivers to take care on the state's roads, especially after rainfall in parts of NSW. "I'm pleading with drivers to follow a few simple driving rules that can mean the difference between life and death," Mr Hartley said in a statement. "Don't drink-drive, stick to the speed limit, don't talk or text on a mobile phone whilst driving, wear your seat belt and take regular rest breaks. "We need your cooperation to keep the road toll down, but sadly, the message isn't getting through to everyone." |
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NSW: Police arrest more than 300
people at Big Day Out SYDNEY, Jan 24 AAP - More than 300 people were arrested over the two-day Big Day Out music festival in Sydney, with one person caught with 24 ecstasy tablets, police say. Police, including officers from the Dog Squad and Commuter Crime unit, targeted drug and alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour at the festival in Homebush on Friday and Saturday. A total of 381 people were arrested, with police laying 104 drug possession charges, 12 drug supply charges, six assault charges and one malicious damage charge. Police also issued nine cannabis cautions, ejected 11 drunk people and caught 18 people trying to jump the fence into the venue. Ambulance officers were also kept busy, with 1,587 people treated by St John Ambulance volunteers over both days, while 36 patients were hospitalised. Many of those revellers were treated for dehydration, as temperatures climbed into the ais on both days. Drugs seized during the police operation included cannabis, ecstasy, ice, LSD, cocaine and amphetamines. "One person was found entering the venue allegedly in possession of 24 ecstasy tablets," police said in a statement. Superintendent Rod Smith said most festival-goers enjoyed themselves responsibly, but some people still hadn't got the message. "Year after year we repeat the same warnings before the event starts, but every year there are still people who stupidly try to get past us and fail," Supt Smith said in a statement. "The results also show that anti-social behaviour won't be tolerated, and those charged over the last two days will have to face the consequences at court." |
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