Two Hunter Men Arrested As Part of Investigations Into Major Methamphetamine Supply Chain

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Three men have been charged in relation to a major drug manufacturing and supply chain operating throughout Hunter Valley, New England and Coffs Coast regions. 

As part of investigations by Strike Force Delisle, established in May 2020, police executed a search warrant at a home at Murrurundi, where they located an inactive clandestine lab.

Following inquiries, about 5pm on August 15, a 42-year-old Aberdeen man was arrested at Muswellbrook Police Station.

He was charged with manufacture a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs and faced Newcastle Local Court on August 16,  where he was refused bail to appear at Muswellbrook Local Court on October 19.

As part of investigations, Strike force detectives also stopped a white Nissan utility on Waterfall Way at Ebor about 5pm on August 14.

Police spoke with two men – aged 45 and 47 – before conducting a search of the vehicle, where they allegedly located methylamphetamine, ammunition and chemicals used in the manufacture of prohibited drugs.

The 45-year-old Murrurundi man was charged with manufacture a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs, while the 47-year-old Billys Creek man was charged with manufacture and supply a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs.

Both men were refused bail appearing at at Armidale Local Court on August 24.

On August 20, strike force detectives executed a search warrant at two properties at Billys Creek.

During the searches, police located and seized glassware used in the manufacture of prohibited drugs, a kilogram of dried cannabis and approximately 10 litres of chemicals believed to be either prohibited drugs or precursors used in their manufacture.

The liquids have been sent for further forensic analysis.

Coffs/Clarence Police District Crime Manager, Detective Chief Inspector Guy Flaherty, said these arrests will disrupt the local supply network of methylamphetamine across several regions.

“We will be alleging this illegal activity not only affected the Coffs Coast area, their connections also stemmed into our Hunter Valley and New England regions.

“Through fantastic collaborative work and information sharing with our neighbouring police districts, we have been able to interrupt a cross-region drug network of both manufacture and supply.

“Strike Force Delisle remains ongoing with further investigation and arrests expected,” Det Ch Insp Flaherty said.

Ice-related deaths doubled in regional areas

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Regional and rural areas are at the top of the list of being the worst for drug related deaths including here in the Hunter.

Research compiled by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre has found methamphetamine-related deaths in Australia have doubled between 2009 and 2015.

Shadow Health Minister Walt Secord is calling on the Berejiklian government to hold a drug summit at State Parliament to discuss challenges and possible new treatment measures for drug use and overdose particularly involving the drug ice.

The research also found 43 per cent of ice-related deaths were from overdose and 41 per cent of them were in regional and rural areas.

Shadow Health Minister Walt Secord
Image @WaltSecordMLC

Walt Secord says it's been nearly 18 years since the last drug summit and too much has changed for current measures to combat drug usage to still be applicable.

"Drug use in NSW and Australia has significantly changed over the last two decades - ice has replaced heroin, and I think it's time that we do new approaches to the challenges particularly in rural and regional areas."

He also says he's seeing firsthand how bad drug-related problems, particularly with ice are getting, with his shadow ministerial office receiving letters, emails and telephone calls from the parents of young people addicted to ice on a regular basis. 

Walt Secord says it's time to gather experts together to find better solutions and better treatments. 

"Drug use in NSW has significantly changed since the last drug summit. At that time we brought together family members, judges, doctors, medical experts, paramedics, everyone involved in that sector - we all came together and people with good will all worked together."

Breaking the Ice forum hits Maitland

BY JARROD MELMETH

Crystalline methamphetamine or 'ice' will be the topic of tonights' 'Breaking the Ice' forum in Maitland.

Local community members, health experts and government will be on hand to help attendees understand the issues and misconceptions surrounding 'ice' and give some practical tools to deal with the issue.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare the number of Australians who have used methamphetamine has increased to 1.3 million people. In the regional areas of the Hunter, NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research reveal a 60 per cent increase in reports of amphetamine use and possession. Much larger than the 18 per cent increase in population centres of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.

Alcohol and Drug Foundation NSW Programs Manager Annie Bleeker says, the forum will aim to inform the community about the drug, break the stigma attached to its use and promote social inclusion.

"We need to start seeing the person rather than just the drug and to encourage people to seek help early, rather than hide the problem."

According to Ms Bleeker this is a community problem with a community solution.

"The solution is very much in the community's hands around this issue and that means working effectively with police as well as education and community groups."

The forum will be held tonight at East Maitland Bowling Club at 6:30pm.

Pictured: the drug 'ice'. Photo Courtesy of the ABC.

Suspicious Substance Seized At Rutherford

BY IAN CROUCH

 Police have uncovered what's believed to be methamphetamine in a car at Rutherford.

Officers allegedly found a bag on the back seat of the vehicle with 53 grams of a substance, which is now being tested, after spotting a driver acting suspiciously near the New England Highway yesterday afternoon.

Police say if the tests confirm that the substance is methamphetamine, it could have a street value of between $15,000 and $20,000.

A 38-year-old woman and a 53-year-old man inside the car have been questioned, but no charges have been laid at this stage.