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Among those arrested were the crew aboard the Catalina, who are also seen in the police footage. A Perth DJ and self-proclaimed upcoming producer is among five people facing serious charges after detectives seized more than 12kg of drugs in Perths north-eastern suburbs. It was mostly unknown clients like the one bound for Jandakot who had booked the trips. The drugs had a street value of around 562.9m ($1bn Australian dollars), and were equivalent to half of Australia's estimated annual consumption, according to police. Media Releases | Western Australia Police Force They had taken 15 vacuum-sealed bags filled with 30,000 MDMA tablets and more than 20 plastic bags containing almost 22 kilograms of methylamphetamine off the streets and, although they did not know it at the time, they had kick-started one of the largest law enforcement operations in Australian history. "That's $33 million worth of drugs that have been taken out of play," Mr Papalia said. One - struggling to navigate the West Australian waters - beaching 70 kilometres north of Perth. Three men - aged 31, 32 and 35 - have been charged with importing the drugs and faced Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Every year we run public campaigns to highlight different ways that people can keep safe, report crime or be challenged about their own behaviour. More than a decade later after the sting, drugs continue to slip across Australia's borders from overseas, as the nation's drug users consume more than four tonnes of cocaine every year. Six men and one woman were charged following. In 2008, police busted $8 million worth of drugs in a light plane flying to Jandakot Airport from NSW, kick-starting the largest police operation in history. It wasnt an unusual occurrence. Another man, already in jail on drug charges, will be issued with a court attendance notice. Western Australian police search a boat allegedly used to retrieve a package about 40 nautical miles off Perth's coast. Eight of the men were from NSW, one from the US, one from NT, one of no fixed address and a 29-year-old man from Champion Lakes, WA. Just after 3am, with Micalizzi's bag safety stowed in the cargo hold, the pair took off in the Aztec, leaving Bankstown's runway behind en route to Whyalla, the first refuelling stop on the 15-hour journey to Jandakot. Share your story, anyone can enter. Western Australia drugs bust: Police arrest 12, seize $1 billion worth Alleged Barkly region drug syndicate under surveillance for months And so we think theres more people in Western Australia, conducting activity thats related to this seizure, he said. Western Australias new police commissioner has used his first press conference to provide details about an alleged organised-crime drugs sting, which included the seizure of cars and gold bullion. Police have seized a loaded handgun along with trafficable quantities of methylamphetamine in a dawn raid in Melbournes suburbs on Friday. "We're looking at 250-400 dollars a kilo for cocaine, so you can see the benefit in the cartels and offshore syndicates in they don't have to get a great deal through," said WA Deputy Commissioner Tony Longhorn. The dozen alleged offenders already arrested come from the US, NSW and the Northern Territory. Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. This was an opportunity to catch the syndicate, the group of people that were capable of receiving it, landing it and then distributing it across Australia. Breaking news, sport, business and more. Credit: 7NEWS/supplied All rights reserved. RBT and Booze Bus Locations - for all other road stuff, speed, handhelds etc, Perth Revenue Raisers 395 talking about this. Arrests being made by WA Police as part of a $1 billion cocaine interception. WIN a share of $75,000 in cash prizes with the worlds richest short story competition. Emily Moulton and Shannon Hampton Operation Beech How alleged Mexican cartel-linked syndicate came unstuck But after the deal fell through, Mr Pavlinovic, who buys and sells everything from jet engines to power tools, dismantled the plane to sell it for parts to the highest bidder. But until now, its role in one of the biggest law enforcement operations in Australian history has remained a mystery. A bankrupt and former nightclub bouncer from Bankstown well into his 30s, Santos had spent a few months before the bust flying passengers across the country in his Aztec in a bid to meet the minimum flying hours required to obtain a commercial pilot's licence. Arrests being made at Hillarys Boat Harbour.Credit: Police Media, Theres some good crooks in the mix and thats what we want.. Pic: Western Australia Police, Police used helicopters and drones in the operation. Ayik, then in his early 30s, had made a fortune by forging alliances with Chinese triads, Indian chemical suppliers, the Comancheros outlaw motorcycle gang and known underworld figures to create a multi-billion dollar international drug syndicate spanning across continents. It was at this point, under the cover of darkness, that the TRG officers struck. Police say the shipment was linked to a Mexican cartel and traffickers had no idea of the seizure, believing the drugs were still on their way to Australia. A 62-year-old man was arrested and charged over the stash. Major drug busts across Perth have netted meth, cash and gold. Australian Federal Police have charged four men and seized 8kg of methamphetamine after busting an alleged Vietnamese drug trafficking syndicate in Perth. Inert Cocaine is dropped in the ccean by WA Police. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. A total of 2.4 tonnes of cocaine worth about $1 billion was prevented from reaching WA shores thanks to a secret high-risk operation involving WA Polices new transnational serious and organised crime squad and agents from the US Drug Enforcement Administration. They paid for the fuel and he built up his hours. DRUG BUST Tonight in 7 News at 6, a major police crackdown has seen massive drug busts across the country. Youve got young detectives sitting in Perth, Western Australia, and all of a sudden theyre doing a joint international operation with the DEA, he said. Share your story, anyone can enter. DRUGS, firearms, stolen property and assets to the tune of more than $3 million have been seized by Kensington Detectives after police targeted a drug syndicate running from multiple Perth suburbs. Perth drug busts: Police seize $3 million in property, drugs, cash, and Police officers have seized 10kg of the dangerous drug methylamphetamine and more than $300,000 in cash following searches at suburban Perth homes. Peta Rasdien The West Australian. RECAP: Heres what a year of hikes has done to repayments, Karate expert carrying injury before unsolved death, Scheming son jailed after conning $150k off his father, Kyrgios mum held at gunpoint, car stolen, Appeal rejected for teen who killed couple, unborn baby, Alleged accomplice to gangland murder to stay in jail. Credit:Nine News. A man is arrested by WA Police as part of a seizure of drugs being imported into Australia. A covert police operation has foiled a billion dollars worth of cocaine entering Western Australia, with officers duping the alleged criminals into believing they had gotten away with the import. to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox. Read more:How laughing gas addiction 'messed up' man's lifeCocaine worth 35m found on small boat in SussexNitrous oxide is being sold on the streets. Cool Runnings had issues with steering and washed ashore south of Moore River. 26 Apr 2023 2:37 pm AEST. The WA drug bust that changed Australian law enforcement forever For years, it sat on the tarmac at a general airport 20 kilometres south of Perth. The alleged ringleader, known as "The Kid", is one of six organised crime bosses being targeted by WA Police. Police watched from the air as the second boat towed the first back out to sea, before it too ran into trouble. The gear would then be cooked or cut if needed and distributed across the country using light planes like Santos', all while the Comancheros ensured the drugs and the syndicate's main actors would be protected as the enterprise's de-facto security arm. Police said the rented motorhome was monitored by officers as itentered WA on Thursday, April15 after crossing the border at Eucla from Melbourne. Footage of a dawn raid in Melbournes suburbs shows officers seize large quantity of drugs and a loaded handgun. He said WA Police working with the USs Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) gave officers a skip in their step and experience in tackling high-level crime. Men snared in 'massive' billion-dollar Geraldton meth bust to spend Eight-week-old puppy's leg amputated after being thrown against wall. A police siren is used to wake occupants as around 10 officers file inside. It was given to the Australian Federal Police for testing, coming back as positive to meth. Pic: Western Australia Police, How laughing gas addiction 'messed up' man's life, Cocaine worth 35m found on small boat in Sussex, Nitrous oxide is being sold on the streets. The Turkish-Australian holds dual citizenship, and despite being included in the NSW police most wanted persons list and having an Interpol arrest warrant against his name, Turkey does not extradite its citizens. Can the town's traditional owners bring it to an end? Media Releases | Western Australia Police Force Loaded gun seized in dawn drug raid - news.com.au At the same time, he said, another much smaller boat, Cool Runnings, left Hillarys Boat Harbour to help. He has since been spotted in Cyprus, Spain and Dubai, with Australian authorities suspecting he is the mastermind behind a massive drug lab in India capable of exporting tonnes of methamphetamine around the world. WA Police target drug dealers using encrypted messaging apps Police confirmed today that under the cover of darkness, a sophisticated sting to take down a Mexican drug cartel eyeing an Australian market was undertaken. Olivia Day For Daily Mail Australia, TikToker who faked knowing NSW's daily cases and was hospitalised with Covid flies to the US and slams Australia - as he reveals what the average Texan REALLY thinks of things Down Under - but Aussies are not impressed, Supermarket shelves could remain bare for WEEKS - as Coles boss explains the real reason behind the nationwide supply shortage, 'We're not your enemies!' The covert operation was a joint effort between the WA police forces transnational serious and organised crime squad, officers from other states and the enforcement administration. Organised crime squad detectives charged two men aged 44 and another aged 38 in connection with cash and drugs. "The people who bought those drugs into this believed there was another 1.2 tonnes sitting in a warehouse in WA - so we waited and we watched," Blanch said. Assistant Commissioner Copeman said ABF officers had seized about 5.2 tonnes of meth at Australian borders through 1,745 detections in the 2020-21 financial year. Police seize firearms, vehicles and drugs in Operation Ironside. A police investigation would later reveal Micalizzi was a drug runner for the Comancheros, a middleman in an international drug syndicate led by Turkish-Australian gym junkie Hakan Ayik. 20:54 EDT 04 Jan 2022 Border officers found substance stuffed inside pillows shipped to Australia. WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said officers had been watching the fake drugs for two days using drones and officers on the ground when they spotted one vessel, the Catalina, trying to find the illegal cargo. Sign up for Guardian Australias free morning and afternoon, email newsletters for your daily news roundup. A police investigation into the bust later uncovered more than 100 messages and calls between Micalizzi and two syndicate figures named 'Oz' and 'Bowa', a fake NSW driver's licence, three mobile numbers registered under false names and $9000 in cash. Fatal crash - Durack Published on April 23, 2023 Officers from the Major Crash Investigations Unit are investigating an incident that occurred in Durack today, Sunday 23 April 2023. Those aboard Cool Runnings allegedly found what they thought was the cocaine before they ran into mechanical difficulties, with the vessel eventually beaching itself south of Moore River. The West Australian can reveal police have charged Perth DJ Shivan Arasu-Dahl, 32, with a range of offences after a major operation was launched last October by the drug and firearm squad. We then arrested two further individuals with over $2 million in cash in their vehicle., Arrests being made by WA Police as part of a $1 billion cocaine interception.Credit: Police Media. "WA is an attractive coastline because they think they won't be detected, it's such a large space, with very few people but they do not understand the capability of WA police," Blanch said. Sign up to Guardian Australia's Morning Mail, Our Australian morning briefing email breaks down the key national and international stories of the day and why they matter. They are progressing through WAs courts. Midland Detectives are investigating an attempted aggravated armed robbery that occurred on Sunday 23 April 2023, in Beechboro. Three charged in major NYE ice bust - News.com.au The force will continue to aggressively target drug traffickers and their criminal networks, Commissioner Col Blanch said on Sunday. Mohammed Charif Oueida caught up in huge drug bust as WA police seize , updated Now, a man has purchased the same Aztec Piper which brought the drugs to WA.Credit: Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. The two men were met then met another group, who then allegedly helped to unload the boxes of latex pillows into a shipping container at the property. The party rode out in uncomfortable conditions in two vessels, Catalina and Cool Runnings both of which ran into trouble. So we waited and we watched, Blanch said. I say that its a magnificent effort to defend our shores, to defend our country from the threat of organised crime, Blanch said. The operation sends a message to international drug traffickers: Your deadly drugs are not welcome here and we will work closely and innovatively with our on-shore and off-shore law enforcement partners to dismantle your operations.. Get exclusive discounts on movie tickets, dining and popular attractions. So you can see the benefit in the cartels and offshore syndicates in that they dont need to get a great deal through, so they flood our borders because its worthwhile to them.. Our job is to protect this community and well go after whoever seeks to harm us.. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. On the morning of December 29, two men arrived to allegedly pick up the boxes of pillows and take them back to a house in Maddington. Operation Kingston Alcatraz netted 6kg of methylamphetamine and nearly $60,000 in cash. Pilots wondered why it sat there, rusting, and told tall stories about where it came from. The meth could have fetched nearly $10 million on Perth streets. Key points: Ronald Peace, 36, was arrested alongside eight others in the outback town of Tennant Creek last June after a three-and-a-half month NT Police investigation codenamed Operation AMYL . Cool Runnings then sank. Three men returned to the house the following evening and entered the shipping container to access the boxes. Santos is eight years into a 15-year sentence and will tell anyone who listens he is innocent. Get the news you want delivered to your inbox. 266266 For years, it sat on the tarmac at a general airport 20 kilometres south of Perth. Sign up for Guardian Australias free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup. Campaigns. Drugs News: Latest & Breaking Drugs Headlines and Today's News Updates The Catalina Boat is Searched at Hillarys Boat Harbour . This latest drugs interception is one of many attempts by smugglers to bring illegal substances into the country via the WA coast. Even after the arrests, police say the syndicate still believed the cocaine was available to buy and on 9 January officers raided a property at Carlisle in Perth and arrested a 28-year-old New South Wales man. On Saturday, WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch revealed how local and international officers outwitted cartels who attempted to bring the countrys biggest-ever stash of drugs onshore via Perth beaches, replacing the cocaine with plaster of paris before swooping on the alleged smugglers. Being a playboy: Musicians shock take on WOMANISING, Terri Irwin UNRECOGNISABLE in stunning new look. Best Perth pubs for pre-footy beers or a cheeky cocktail, West Australian Newspapers Limited 2023. They dropped it 40 nautical miles west of the state capital Perth, while monitoring it using drones and helicopters. Police arrested a 35-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman, both from Victoria, who were inside the vehicle. September 14, 2021 - 7:32PM NCA NewsWire Police have arrested 19 people and seized $7 million in cash in a massive drug sting in Western Australia. Six more men were then arrested at a popular family boat harbour in Perth. Young offenders are 'running amok' in Alice Springs. Australian Federal Police have charged four people after seizing eight kilograms of methamphetamine during an investigation into a suspected Vietnamese drug trafficking syndicate in Perth. The nets are so heavy that at one point officers can be seen kicking them into the ocean, 80km off the WA coast on December 28, 2022. As the Aztec dived towards the runway at Jandakot, 20 kilometres south of Perth, Santos' only passenger tattooed 20-something-year-old Australian-Italian Joseph Micalizzi was finally waking up from his 15-hour drug-fuelled slumber. Operation Beech kicked off in November after Drug Enforcement Administration agents seized a record 2.4 tonnes of cocaine allegedly bound for Australia off the South American coast. He said the estimated cost of the drugs entering the West Australian community would have been $22.65 million through crime, increased healthcare and justice costs, and loss of productivity. Mr Blanch said almost two weeks after the arrests at Hillarys Boat Harbour, police received information from the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission that led to a search of a car on Great Eastern Highway near Coolgardie. Trusted enough to keep an eye on Santos and ensure the safe delivery of the drugs, Judge Stevenson would describe Micalizzi's role as "likely to have not only included some financial reward but some relationship-building with those he was associated with". They charged a 39-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman they say are connected to the syndicate. 17 people have been charged, over 20 million dollars of assets have been seized. Up to 15 years in a prison cell is a long way removed from the easy money they have been chasing, while police will have absolutely no hesitation seizing every dollar, piece of property, or vehicle that has been gained by profiting off the addiction of others.. This comp is for you! The latest real-time news updates and headlines on drug. The comments below have not been moderated, By In the first part of the vision, WA officers who had replaced the drug with plaster of paris and made sure the packaging was identical can be seen dumping large nets containing 1.2 tonnes of the fake cocaine that were attached to orange buoys into the water. To improve your experience, The population of 'world's most criticised prison' just doubled. Police have released CCTV vision in an appeal for information after a woman was allegedly sexually assaulted at a bus stop. Forensic specialists estimated there was about 99kg of meth inside the pillows, with a street value of at least $100 million. Perth woman facing drug charges following police raid During the course of this week, the Caulfield DRU has removed more than $380,000 of methylamphetamine, heroin and cocaine from Victorian streets, seized more than $1.1 million in allegedly ill-gotten cash, and arrested three people for trafficking., Our experienced and dedicated detectives are working together with other specialist and regional areas to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking networks, and most importantly, stop drugs from hitting Victorian streets.. Inert cocaine being dropped into the ocean by WA Police in a sting operation to target drug smugglers. Shit happens.". A handcuffed Santos assists police searching the plane at Jandakot Airport. Every single day someone chooses to traffick drugs they are engaging in a dangerous game of roulette. How much extra could mortgage repayments be, now the cash rate is 3.85 per cent? WA Police seize $10kg of meth following Dianella raid Sooner or later, they will receive a knock on the door from police and at this point, the realisation quickly dawns that they have made a decision that has ruined their life. Teen loses appeal against sentence for hit-and-run killing of Queensland couple and their unborn baby, Endurance swimmer known as 'King of the Channel' dies during triathlon, German zoo welcomes first polar bear cub in 21 years, Natascha Lechner died minutes after using frog poison in 'Kambo' vomiting ritual, inquest told, Households tally rising grocery bills as interest rates climb again, Police officer in hospital after being hit by garbage truck in Launceston, Sick 4yo boy left without pillow at Adelaide's Women's and Children's Hospital, opposition says, ACT cycling group suggests lowering speed limit to 30kph in Canberra's suburbs. The same group of detectives arrested two alleged drug traffickers on Wednesday, with nearly a million dollars and more than $360,000 in methylamphetamine, heroin and cocaine. Border Force officers were first alerted to the delivery when a 550kg shipment of latex pillows arrived in Fremantle on a container ship on December 17. The next part of the footage shows officers speaking with two of the suspects before it switches to police airwing vision of the Catalina towing Cool Runnings away from the shore. The man, who was home at the time, was charged with various counts of trafficking a drug of dependence, possess handgun, possess ammunition, possess prohibited weapon and possessing property being proceeds of a crime. Perth drug busts: Police seize meth, cash and gold in multiple raids 'Life will never be the same': MasterChef stars post tributes to Jock, Fatal flaw in escape from infamous island prison, Push to extend 'really popular' $100 voucher for NSW parents, Man denied bail after allegedly stealing Nick Kyrgios' Tesla, holding mum at gunpoint. Pic: Western Australia Police, Money seized from a vehicle on the Great Eastern highway. According to Santos, he was preparing his plane for take-off at Bankstown Airport in the early hours of March 4, 2008, when a car pulled up outside the airfield and a young man dressed in a white shirt and black pants, walked up to shake his hand. Drugs & Alcohol | The West Australian Officers searched the delivery and discovered a 'crystal-like substance' stuffed inside the pillows. Police seize drugs form the Ellenbrook home. Biggest drug bust in Australian history: Cocaine worth $1 billion Our detectives are working closely with their State and Commonwealth law enforcement and intelligence partners to track down the source of these drugs, with a clear intent of bringing those involved in the drug trafficking syndicates to face justice here in Western Australia.. and stop a billion dollar bounty from reaching Aussies shores. The operation, which has been ongoing since November 2022, led to the arrest of 12 individuals. queensland 12:17pm Apr 29, 2023 120kg of cocaine found inside shipping container by ABF 09/10/2022 Two arrested, 300kg in liquid MDMA hidden in wine bottles seized Officers search the black sports bag containing nearly $8 million worth of drugs stored in the cargo hold. 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AFP charges four in Western Australia over meth trafficking Detectives executed search warrants in Perth on New Years Eve and charged nine men with attempting to possess 1.2 tonnes of cocaine.