Police learned the alleged Australian arm of the group was waiting to receive the haul about 28 December, prompting WA officers to put together a dummy package using an inert substance. The pair appeared in court on Monday charged with possession of a trafficable quantity of methylamphetamine with intent to sell and supply and they have been remanded in custody until their next appearance on May 10. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. A police siren is used to wake occupants as around 10 officers file inside. The Aztec at a hangar at Jandakot Airpot. Credit: 7NEWS/supplied Get the news you want delivered straight to your inbox so you never miss a headline. The Catalina Boat is Searched at Hillarys Boat Harbour . 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. Another man, already in jail on drug charges, will be issued with a court attendance notice. Fake cocaine used to lure suspects in Australia's biggest-ever drugs bust, Police dropped fake cocaine into the water. Sign up for Guardian Australias free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup. Credit:Nine News. It was at this point, under the cover of darkness, that the TRG officers struck. 26 Apr 2023 2:37 pm AEST. It was given to the Australian Federal Police for testing, coming back as positive to meth. Police allege those onboard the Catalina then transferred the cargo from Cool Runnings into their boat. WA cops crack cartels mega $1b drug shipment. The body of MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo was found at 2am at a hotel in one of Melbournes most famous streets. 365 kilograms of cocaine was found stashed in an overturned boat off the coast of Esperance. Border officers found substance stuffed inside pillows shipped to Australia. The WA drug bust that changed Australian law enforcement forever. 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. "Someone told me there was a story behind it, and then I sort of had an idea that that was the one that I vaguely remembered.". 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. 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. Police officers have seized 10kg of the dangerous drug methylamphetamine and more than $300,000 in cash following searches at suburban Perth homes. This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. On December the 28th we observed nine men come into Western Australia, some were from WA, he said. RBT and Booze Bus Locations - for all other road stuff, speed, handhelds etc, Perth Revenue Raisers Credit: Unknown/WA Police In the latest move, nine people have been arrested in relation to two separate drug operations targeting alleged organised crime networks in Perth. They dropped the parcel off about 40 nautical miles west of Perths coast and over three days to 30 December, a shore party allegedly made three trips out to retrieve the package because they could not find it. Sign up here. "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. Western Australia 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. The raid was the result of a six-month investigation into drug trafficking, dubbed Operation Miami. Officers duped the alleged criminals into believing they had gotten away with the import, police say. An alleged plot to smuggle 99kg of meth into Australia came to a dramatic end when the getaway van crashed into police car. 20:54 EDT 04 Jan 2022 In pre-dawn raids on Tuesday, five men were arrested in a joint police operation sparked by the seizure of 188 kilos of the drug in 2019. Live drug news coverage of developments with the latest updates. 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!' A month later, two boats attempted to retrieve the haul. Ellenbrook drug bust: Three people charged after 7.3kg of cannabis seized and more than $200,000 in cash Brianna Dugan The West Australian Wed, 14 September 2022 4:43PM Three people have been charged with a string of offences after police allegedly busted them with more than seven kilograms of cannabis and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash. He was then arrested by the Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime squad.. Twelve men in total with charged as a result of the operation, ranging from 19 to 67 years of age. Operation Kingston Alcatraz netted 6kg of methylamphetamine and nearly $60,000 in cash. WIN a share of $75,000 in cash prizes with the worlds richest short story competition. The uniformed police found the drugs hidden under a pillowcase in the black sports bag Micalizzi had brought with him. Best Perth pubs for pre-footy beers or a cheeky cocktail, West Australian Newspapers Limited 2023. Sign up for Guardian Australias free morning and afternoon, email newsletters for your daily news roundup. A 62-year-old man was arrested and charged over the stash. 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. Then the Catalina sank. They paid for the fuel and he built up his hours. Officers searched the delivery and discovered a 'crystal-like substance' stuffed inside the pillows. It was a sweet deal for somebody living off the generosity of friends and family. The men face a potential life sentence if convicted. Arrests being made at Hillarys Boat Harbour. They get a one off payment, and theyre dispensable. Australian police have intercepted $1bn Australian dollars worth of cocaine from entering the west of the country, in what is believed to be the nation's biggest-ever drug bust. Tue, 25 April 2023 3:52PM. Joseph Davids, 32, Darren Dexter Fletcher, 35, and Reece Raymond Neil OConnor, 31, likely didn't learn the truth until they were hauled before court the next day. Six more men were then arrested at a popular family boat harbour in Perth. 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. It was March 5, 2008. Deputy Commissioner Tony Longhorn said: "It's a confidence booster every time we do these operations we're testing the limitations of our capabilities.". Police search bushland in Wellard as part of Operation Kingston Alcatraz. Shit happens.". Blanch said WA Police were supported by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, which monitors organised crime groups across the country and the world. Cool Runnings then sank. The operation, which has been ongoing since November 2022, led to the arrest of 12 individuals. Regular chances to win incredible prizes like luxury getaways and sports tickets with our subscriber exclusive competitions. All times AEST (GMT +10). Western Australian police search a boat allegedly used to retrieve a package about 40 nautical miles off Perth's coast. Police seize firearms, vehicles and drugs in Operation Ironside. The latest real-time news updates and headlines on drug. The fire started at Pickles Auctions in Bibra Lake, a suburb in . 02:58 EDT 05 Jan 2022. exclusive Three men charged over alleged plot to bring $100m worth of meth into WA Daryna Zadvirna The West Australian Tue, 4 January 2022 10:00AM The picture above shows the gripping moment in a suburb south-east of Perth when an alleged highly planned importation of 99kg of meth came to a dramatic end. The force will continue to aggressively target drug traffickers and their criminal networks, Commissioner Col Blanch said on Sunday. The operation took place over three states, including WA and netted more than 20 kilograms of cannabis and 16 kilograms of methylamphetamine. I say that its a magnificent effort to defend our shores, to defend our country from the threat of organised crime, Blanch said. 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. So we waited and we watched, Blanch said. Police said the 99kg ofmeth - estimated to be worth about $100million - could have been sold to a million people in individual street deals. From Whyalla they travelled to Forrest, a popular refuelling stop more than 1100km east of Perth, near the South Australian border. Then on 13 January police stopped a vehicle on the Great Eastern Highway near Coolgardie, more than 550km east of Perth, and found more than $2m in cash. Two brand new vehicles were also seized as part of the raids known as Operation Kingston Alcatraz and Operation Kingston Destiny. Longhorn said it was imperative that police share intel with other agencies and create innovative ways of staying ahead of the syndicates. The party rode out in uncomfortable conditions in two vessels, Catalina and Cool Runnings both of which ran into trouble. 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. Among those arrested were the crew aboard the Catalina, who are also seen in the police footage. All rights reserved. Remote landing strips were and still are a hole in Australia's national security network, too isolated and remote to be monitored effectively. "Ah, we have an issue here," Detective Morrish said as he peeked inside the bag. Footage of the precision raid shows officers gathering out the front of a nondescript apartment in Mordialloc. Are you a deadset writing legend? Pic: Western Australia Police, Police used helicopters and drones in the operation. A massive blaze erupted at an auction yard in Perth on Friday night, with dozens of cars going up in flames. The biggest drug bust in Australian history has been pulled off by WA Police after an undercover operation led to the seizure of 2.4 tonnes of cocaine worth about $1 billion dollars. 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.. Kewdale Murder Charge Share your story, anyone can enter. Police seized 6kg of methylamphetamine and more than $59,000 cash from a vehicle and properties in suburban Perth last Sunday. A homeless man who allegedly launched a brutal, unprovoked attack on a retail employee as she made her way to work has been arrested. This operation has enabled us to draw out those members of the syndicate who were equipped and prepared to receive and distribute a significant amount of illicit drugs within the community, who may have otherwise gone undetected and waited for the next consignment, the WA police commissioner, Col Blanch, said on Saturday. 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. Extraordinary footage of the biggest drug bust in Australian history which resulted in WA Police arresting a dozen people with alleged links to a Mexican drug cartel off our beautiful but hostile coast has been released. Its bits and bobs are now scattered across his verandah and the tail and fuselage sit in a backyard in Perth's north, a dire reminder of the plane that once sat in the middle of Australia's own war on drugs and that changed law enforcement forever. Mohammed Charif Oueida caught up in huge drug bust as WA police seize 33kg of methamphetamine at border, Keep up with the latest ASX and business news. 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. Forensic specialists estimated there was about 99kg of meth inside the pillows, with a street value of at least $100 million. 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. He said catching those that dispensed of the drugs was only part of the ongoing war against drug distribution in the country. Six men and one woman were charged following. 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. Two men have faced court after a traffic stop led to a large drug bust in Perth's north-east. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. AFP Acting Assistant Commissioner John Tanti said the price of the illicit substance skyrocketed in WA due to border closures that restricted the supply. Blanch said this was an extraordinary job by the people involved but said it was not over. Detectives executed search warrants in Perth on New Years Eve and charged nine men with attempting to possess 1.2 tonnes of cocaine. 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. Four men from Sydney are sentenced to decades in jail for their roles in a "sophisticated" drug importation that saw 1.2 tonnes of methamphetamine with an estimated worth of up to $1.1 billion . The pair were arrested at the airport and ultimately charged with two counts of possession with intent to sell or supply, and sentenced to 15 years in jail. We had members from New South Wales, Northern Territory and one from the United States and we will allege that they were here to retrieve that 2.4 tonnes of cocaine and distribute it amongst our country. But until now, its role in one of the biggest law enforcement operations in Australian history has remained a mystery. 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. He had established his own flying company, Santos Aviation, in 2006 and bought his American-made Aztec a year later with a generous cash donation from a family friend. Two people were arrested and charged with laundering money from proceeds of a major offence. "I did say this as this was the defence I was running," he wrote in a letter from Acacia Prison. Major drug busts across Perth have netted meth, cash and gold. Organised crime squad detectives charged two men aged 44 and another aged 38 in connection with cash and drugs. Operation Hoffman, a sting designed by Australia's most secretive and powerful law enforcement agency, the Australian Crime Commission, would topple a billion-dollar empire extending across two continents and send a drug lord into hiding. WA Police have targeted drug dealers, capitalising on the platforms used to carry out their illegal behavior. In the latest move, nine people have been arrested in relation to two separate drug operations targeting alleged organised crime networks in Perth. These campaigns always reflect our most important policing priorities. An officer who identified himself as Detective Roy Morrish was standing at the forefront of the unit, motioning officers to unzip the large sports bag Micalizzi had loaded onto the cargo hold 15 hours prior. Pilots wondered why it sat there, rusting, and told tall stories about where it came from. This comp is for you! 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. "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. Can the town's traditional owners bring it to an end? Key points: An operation between US and Australian police has resulted in the seizure of 2.4 tonnes of cocaine bound for WA "The jury didn't buy it, I was found guilty at trial and got 15 years. Cool Runnings had issues with steering and washed ashore south of Moore River. Arrests being made by WA Police as part of a $1 billion cocaine interception. Police charged a 39-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman who were allegedly connected to the syndicate, according to ABC. Those packages were then dropped in the ocean, 80 kilometres off WA. Drug and firearm squad detectives executed a search warrant at a house on Fantail Crescent in Ellenbrook late on Thursday night. Campaigns. Are you a deadset writing legend? Over the following days, police watched as two boats were used to bring the drugs to shore, where three men were arrested at Moore River and a further six at Hillarys Boat Harbour. Key points: Mohammed Charif Oueida is one of three people charged over the bust Police allege Mr Oueida is the principal person behind the operation Breaking news, sport, business and more. 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. It was a 30-plus degree summer day and, although a cyclone was gravitating towards Western Australia's northern coast, not a gust of wind was blowing at the strip. Were working to restore it. (modern). The Aztec landed at Jandakot Airport just before 4pm. Auto news:2022 Maserati SUV lineup due by the end of the year - drive.com.au, Your web browser is no longer supported. Theyre people that are vulnerable and they get enticed by these drug syndicates to get involved. Sitting at Acacia Prisons crowded visitor room, he says it all began with a phone call from a client looking for a plane ride from Bankstown, in Sydneys south-west, to Jandakot. Police watch as offenders on board a boat stashed with drugs tows a smaller boat. "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. Cops dragged three burly, tattooed men out of the upturned vehicle on a patch of grass in southeast Perth and arrested them on December 30. Police have released CCTV vision in an appeal for information after a woman was allegedly sexually assaulted at a bus stop. 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. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player. 7:42am Apr 29, 2023. 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. A handcuffed Santos assists police searching the plane at Jandakot Airport. 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. Drugs News: Latest & Breaking Drugs Headlines and Today's News Updates from Australia | 7NEWS Drugs Heartbreaking last photo of teen who died from TikTok challenge By Stephanie Duprey / World News Teen could face death penalty after discovery in luggage at Bali airport By Matheus Meirelles / Drugs The enormous volume represents half of Australia's annual consumption of the drug, and has an estimated street value of $1 billion. Police have raided nearly 50 homes and businesses across Perth, smashing a criminal empire allegedly run by a 24-year-old man believed to have links to South American drug cartels. Eight men and one woman have been charged with serious drug offences and were refused bail. 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. On New Years Eve police made a series of further arrests, charging nine other people in East Perth, Scarborough, West Perth and Rivervale. 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. The substance was sent to police for . They charged a 39-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman they say are connected to the syndicate. October 8 2021, 9.38am Seven people between the ages of 16 and 26 have been charged in connection with drug-related offences after a raid in Perth. Two people have been arrested after an investigation into an organised crime syndicate allegedly importing and distributing tens of millions of dollars of illicit drugs into Melbourne and operating a drug 'safe house'. Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Theres only so much that will be gained by looking at the mules and the low-level individuals that are, I would say, a dime a dozen, he said. '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. Here's what you need to know, 'Bassam is going to call': Brothers 4 Life leader allegedly used lawyer as go-between in drug ring, Alleged gunman accused of holding up Nick Kyrgios's mother and stealing his Tesla refused bail. The drugs had been seized, so the risk of 2.4 tonnes coming to our shores had been mitigated, he said. On 30 December, tactical response officers arrested three men onboard Cool Runnings, with approximately 1.2 tonnes of the fake cocaine. The next few months after the bust, investigators from the Australian Crime Commission infiltrated international money-laundering streams and exposed Ayik's drug empire. It is alleged that members of the syndicate then used two boats - Catalina and Cool Runnings - to make several attempts to find and retrieve the cargo. Inert cocaine being dropped into the ocean by WA Police in a sting operation to target drug smugglers.Credit: Police Media, Weve all seen the movies, we know the reputation, and they just want to catch crooks.. West Australian Newspapers Limited 2023. 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. Three men - aged 31, 32 and 35 - have been charged with importing the drugs and faced Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday. It is alleged more than $2 million cash was found in the vehicle. A further nine arrests were made through to 13 January, including on the Great Eastern highway, roughly 373 miles (600km) east of Perth, where officers found more than 1.2m ($2m) in cash. Footage of a dawn raid in Melbournes suburbs shows officers seize large quantity of drugs and a loaded handgun. A 62-year-old man was arrested and charged over the stash. 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. 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. . Just last month, 365 kilograms of cocaine was found stashed in an overturned boat off the coast of Esperance following the dramatic rescue of three men found clinging to an esky. queensland 12:17pm Apr 29, 2023 120kg of cocaine found inside shipping container by ABF In late November, US authorities intercepted the shipment off the South American coast - alerting WA police. Eight-week-old puppy's leg amputated after being thrown against wall. 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.. The Ontario Provincial Police Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau and Community Street Crime Units of Grey-Bruce and Huron-Perth started an investigation in May after they say there was an increase in drug overdoses across . Share your story, anyone can enter. Dozens of charges were laid in the wake of a recent three-day blitz, looking to pick apart Perth's illicit drug trade which is operating on encrypted messaging apps including Telegram. Australian Border Force Acting Assistant Commissioner West James Copeman said this had been a 'significant detection' by officers using 'sophisticated technology'. A tactical police officer guards a . The alleged ringleader, known as "The Kid", is one of six organised crime bosses being targeted by WA Police. 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. 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. Our job is to protect this community and well go after whoever seeks to harm us.. "That's $33 million worth of drugs that have been taken out of play," Mr Papalia said. Police seized 6kg of methylamphetamine and more than $59,000 cash from a vehicle and properties in suburban Perth last Sunday. Acting deputy police commissioner Tony Longhorn said Australia was an attractive proposition for would-be drug dealers. Police were able to use fake replicas of the drugs to trick alleged suspects into thinking the cocaine had not been compromised on its journey from South America. February 18, 2022 - 8:21PM NCA NewsWire Police have seized a loaded handgun along with trafficable quantities of methylamphetamine in a dawn raid in Melbourne's suburbs on Friday. March 4, 2023 9.59am Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size The biggest drug bust in Australian history has been pulled off by WA Police after an undercover operation led to the seizure of 2.4 tonnes of cocaine worth about $1 billion dollars. As officers searched the black sports bag, they uncovered nearly $8 million worth of drugs. 17 people have been charged, over 20 million dollars of assets have been seized. Best Perth pubs for pre-footy beers or a cheeky cocktail, West Australian Newspapers Limited 2023. At the same time, he said, another much smaller boat, Cool Runnings, left Hillarys Boat Harbour to help. He was charged with attempting to possess 200kg of cocaine. But during his trial in the WA District Court, Judge Christopher Stevenson said the duo had played a "dangerous game of Russian Roulette" trying to incriminate each other, "the last refuge of a desperate man to avoid any criminal liability".

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