Newcaslte Man Charged Over Major Drug Smuggling Attempt

BY OLIVIA DILLON

 

A Newcastle man is one of five people charged in relation to a flight from Papua New Guinea to Australia, which had 52 kilograms of methamphetamine onboard.

It's believed the drugs have a street value of $15 million.

It's alleged the man from Newcastle, helped transport a tank of aviation gas to central Queensland to refill the aircraft used to smuggle the drugs.

After all five men were arrested, a search warrant was issued a the man's home in Wallsend.

If convicted, he'll face a maximum penalty of life in prison.

 

Police believe the men are part of an international crime syndicate, and are currently undergoing investigations into where they sourced the drugs, who else was involved in their transportation. 

 

Image: AFP

 

Police Dismantle Suspected Major Drug Syndicate Operating out of Cessnock

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Police believe they've smashed a major drug syndicate operating in the coalfields.

Officers executed search warrants at four homes in Cessnock on Thursday, seizing a shortened rifle, ammunition, Methamphetamine, cannabis, mobile phones and 8-thousand dollars in cash.

Detective Superintendent John Watson says they believe the syndicate was supplying drugs across the state.

"It will be alleged that this syndicate was well organised. They were capable of high volume drug supply," he said. 

"It's more concerning for us however that these people were choosing to arm themselves with weapons. We all know that it takes one gun, and one bullet to kill either a member of the NSW Police or an innocent member of the public."

"So for us this has been a win." 

Two men aged 34 and 26, and a 27-year-old woman were arrested.

The younger man was charged with;

• three counts of supply prohibited drug 
• deal with property proceeds of crime
• possess shortened firearm (not pistol) without authority
• custody of knife in public place
• possess ammunition without holding permit
• possess prohibited plant
• possess prohibited drug.

The older man was charged with supply prohibited drug.

Both men were refused bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court on Friday. 

The woman was charged with two counts of possess prohibited drug and supply prohibited drug. 

She was refused bail and appeared at Cessnock Local Court on Thursday. 

Investigations by the Drug and Firearms Squad are continuing.

Images: NSW Police Force