$45m ecstasy haul biggest in our history

[boulder]

POLICE believe they have foiled an international crime syndicate by seizing Australia's largest ever ecstasy haul, worth more than $45 million, during a Christmas Eve raid.

 

 

A Federal Police officer with part of the

 

ecstasy haul.

A joint task force of

Federal and NSW police and the NSW Crime Commission swooped on a unit on Mowbray Rd, Sylvania, at midnight on Tuesday.

 

Detective Superintendent Mark Wright from the Special Crime Unit said about 750,000 pink and blue tablets were seized during the raid after a three-month surveillance operation.

 

"The 250kg of ecstasy is about 100kg more than was seized by the National Crime Authority in the previous biggest ecstasy haul in October 2001," he said.

 

Supt Wright said police with a search warrant discovered the ecstasy in the back of a white van parked in the garage of the Sylvania apartment.

 

He said the tablets were packaged and concealed inside PVC piping inside cardboard boxes.

 

Police believe they were imported from the Netherlands.

 

Ecstasy is a popular party drug commonly used at raves and clubs particularly during New Year's Eve celebrations.

 

"A seizure of this size will have a significant impact on the local market," Supt Wright said.

 

"The exact extent of that impact won't be known for some time and it's something that we'll continue to monitor."

 

The task force's operations manager, Federal Police agent David Stewart, said three men arrested during the Christmas Eve raid were allegedly involved in an international organised crime syndicate with possible links to the Netherlands.

 

"It is well documented in law enforcement circles that high quality amphetamines are sourced from the Netherlands as a primary producer of this type of drug and inquiries are continuing with our Dutch law enforcement partners," Mr Stewart said.

 

The three men arrested were named as Francis Ballis, a 56-year-old unemployed man who was apprehended at his Bondi home, and Canadian author Carl John Hinke, 48, now living in Cronulla, and unemployed Sylvania man Wayne Robert Moore, 52, who were arrested as they were sitting down to dinner at a Cronulla restaurant shortly after midnight.

 

The men appeared in Parramatta Local Court on Christmas Day charged with drug offences under the Customs Act.

 

They did not seek bail and have been remanded in custody to reappear at Central Local Court on January 15.

[Ferre]

Detective Superintendent Mark Wright from the Special Crime Unit said about 750,000 pink and blue tablets were seized during the raid after a three-month surveillance operation.

Police believe they were imported from the Netherlands.

"It is well documented in law enforcement circles that high quality amphetamines are sourced from the Netherlands as a primary producer of this type of drug and inquiries are continuing with our Dutch law enforcement partners," Mr Stewart said.

http://www.clubs.nl/ClubsData/67948/incoming/zcat3.gif Today it's xtc,..tomorrow another drug people use for pleasure and partying,....it's been like that for more than 2000 years.

people use drugs,...so what? ...and the Dutch like to party...........so what?

http://www.clubs.nl/ClubsData/67948/incoming/zkangar1.gif

[Guest Urbanhog]

I would like to add this in relate with this eccie news, from shortnews.com:

 

12/27/2002 02:04 PM    

Australia's Largest ever Drug Haul nets 250kg of Ecstasy

 

A joint taskforce of Australian Federal Police and NSW Police has netted Australia's largest seizure of ecstasy. Approximately 750,000 tablets of the drug, weighing in at 250kg, and an estimated street value of $45 million were seized.  

 

Three men have been arrested in connection with the raid that occurred on Christmas Eve, in Sydney’s south after an intensive three-month investigation.  

 

The bust is expected to significantly impact on the local drug trade, with expectations of increased prices for the drug. Investigations continue, and police hope further arrests both local and overseas will be made.

 

I would like to point out this quote from this shortnews.com story:

 

The bust is expected to significantly impact on the local drug trade, with expectations of increased prices for the drug.

 

... so sounds like the cops have admitted they do cause some increase in crimes aswell! :angry: they caused the increase in the market prices due the "biggest" haul bust, maybe the price increases will cause more crimes?

 

.... I personally think 250 kilos busted is a "small fish" for these big criminal gangs, if you think about it, how much did it cost for the gangs to make them? the "$45 million" mark is about the profits if the dealers sold them,but the makers... costs fuck all to make.

 

.....There's one thing makes me wonder.... if these three people who were busted was actually grassed by the dealers or makers based in europe to keep the feds busy so they can smuggle in a bigger load into Australia, while the short-staffed feds used all their resources and engery towards the "250kgs" bust, and they have lost track looking after other shipments that could be a bigger load?

 

I am only wondering because that's what the triads do, they actually tell the feds/customs about a "shipment" of heroin coming to Australia, to keep the feds busy, while they have 2 or possibitly even more shipments coming to Australia at the same time, its kinda like a "insurance" to them that the profits will make up for the loss from the busted shipment?

 

Just wondering..... these "big busts" makes me bit curious about whats actually going on behing the "curtains".....

 

Urbanhog http://www.gamers-forums.com/smilies/contrib/sp/chefico.gif