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

 

Man To Face Court On Drugs Charges After Arrest At Merewether

 BY IAN CROUCH

A high-profile surveillance operation around Merewether has resulted in the arrest of a man on serious drugs charges.

Police say a car came under notice of patrolling officers just after 9.30pm on Wednesday.

It's alleged when they pulled the vehicle over a search of the driver uncovered a significant amount of drugs believed to be methylamphetamine.

The 52-year-old man was arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with drug possession and trafficking offences.

He's been refused bail and is due to face court today (Thursday 9 February, 2023).

Two Men Charged Over Alleged Drug-Smuggling Incident at the Port of Newcastle

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Two men have been charged over an alleged attempt to retrieve cocaine off a ship in the Port of Newcastle. 

Police allege the two Norwegian nationals, Johan-Martinius Halversen and Jon Birger Karlsen, were seen in the water at the Port at around 4am on Wednesday wearing scuba diving gear. 

It's believed they were attempting to retrieve 82kgs of cocaine off a visiting ship. 

They were arrested at Honeysuckle that afternoon by organised crime squad detectives and federal police. 

Newcastle Bail Court heard yesterday, the pair were a part of a sophisticated international crime syndicate, which both men deny. 

They are facing a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, and will face local court today. 

Police Receive Tip-Off During Murder Investigation, Woman Arrested Over Alleged Drug Supply Across Hunter

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A woman will face court on Wednesday charged with alleged ongoing drug supply across the Hunter.

She was arrested at Silverwater Gaol earlier in the month on July 2nd, after police received information about the ongoing supply of methylamphetamine and cannabis in the Hunter, whilst investigating a murder.

Strike Force Lirki was established to investigate the death of a 36-year-old man at Cessnock in September 2018.

A 34-year-old man was charged over the death and remains before the courts.

The 33-year-old woman was charged with three counts of supply prohibited drug on an ongoing basis and one count of supply indictable quantity of prohibited drug.

She is due to appear in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday 15th July 2020.

Woman Charged, Police Allegedly Locating Amphetamines and Prescription Medications During Raymond Terrace Vehicle Search

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A woman will face court later this month charged with several drug offences in Raymond Terrace.

Around 1am on Wednesday morning, officers conducting patrols of Raymond Terrace approached a white Toyota Yaris on Cook Street.

Police spoke with occupants of the vehicle, including the front seat passenger – a 25-year-old woman – before conducting a vehicle search.

During the search police allegedly located and seized amphetamines, several prescription medications, drug paraphernalia and mobile phones.

The woman was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station.

She has been charged with two counts of possess prohibited drug, three counts of goods in custody and one count of supply prohibited drug.

She was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on July 27.

Man Charged Over Alleged Commercial Quantity of MDMA in Port Stephens

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A man will face court today after he was allegedly found with a commercial quantity of MDMA in Port Stephens.

About 1:30pm on Thursday the 30th of April officers stopped a vehicle on Nelson Bay Road, Salt Ash.

The driver, a 24-year-old man, underwent a roadside drug test and allegedly returned a positive result.

Officers searched the vehicle and seized 430 grams of MDMA and just under $2000 cash.

The man was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station, where he was charged with supply commercial quantity of prohibited drug, and deal with proceeds of crime.

He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Friday the 1st of May. 

More Than 10kg Of Cannabis Found In Car Boot At Tea Gardens

BY IAN CROUCH

A 52-year-old man is due to face court in July on drugs charges following his arrest at Tea Gardens.

Officers noticed the man's silver Ford Fairmont parked at the intersection of the Pacific Highway and Myall Way on Wednesday afternoon and approached the vehicle.

A search of the car allegedly uncovered 3 large garbage bags in the boot containing 10.8kg of cannabis with an estimated street value of $95,000.

It's alleged a syringe containing methamphetamine was also found.

Police say the man admitted to being away from his home to purchase drugs.

He was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he was charged with supply cannabis, two counts of drug possession, and self-administer prohibited drug. He was also fined $1000 for breaching the Public Health Act relating to the current COVID-19 travel restrictions.

He's been granted conditional bail to face Raymond Terrace Local Court on July 6.

Man Arrested Over Loaded Pistol, Drug Supply

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

A Lemon Tree Passage man has faced court after police located drugs, cash and a number of prohibited weapons during a vehicle search.

Just before 1 o’clock yesterday morning police stopped a Hyundai sedan in Tanilba Bay and searched the car after they became suspicious.

Officers allege they located a loaded pistol, a set of knuckle dusters and a knife, as well as a  traffickable quantity of the drug ICE and $1800 cash.

A 38-year-old male passenger in the car was arrested by police and charged with Possess Unregistered Pistol; Supply Prohibited Drug; Deal in the Proceeds of Crime; Custody of a Prohibited Weapon; and Possess Knife in Public Place.

The man was refused bail to appear in court yesterday where he was remanded in custody until his next appearance at Raymond Terrace Local Court on May 6th.

The female driver of the car was released without charge.

Newcastle Police Make Major Drug Arrest

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle Police have made a major breakthrough in the fight against the supply of illegal drugs,

They arrested a 35-year-old man at Broadmeadow on Tuesday following a 3 month investigation and charged him with 29 counts of drug supply.

It's alleged the man was in possession of almost 15 grams of ICE.

Officers later searched his Georgetown home where they allegedly found 3 other people in possession of ICE along with bikes, electronic devices and tools all suspected of being stolen.