Australia: Police swoop on drug labs

Underworld links claimed

POLICE believe they have smashed a sophisticated drug-making ring with underworld links after a series of raids across Melbourne.

Investigators allege a group of men charged yesterday were part of an organised crime syndicate responsible for the large scale manufacture of methamphetamine.

Raids on 12 houses uncovered several clandestine drug laboratories, 150 packets of amphetamine ingredient Sudafed, a pill press and a hydroponic set up with 13 cannabis plants.

More than 100 police were involved in the raids -- part of Operation Tigger -- after Purana taskforce detectives were given information about the alleged drug syndicate.

A former employee of chemical supply company Science Supply Australia was among the 11 men who appeared later at Melbourne Magistrates' Court.

Undercover police allegedly bought more than 1500 litres of chemicals used to make methamphetamines during the investigation.

Investigators from the major drug investigation division began to monitor the group's activities in March through surveillance and telephone intercepts. Police allege Frank Primerano, 46, of Cheltenham, was a key figure in the trading of large amounts of chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamines.

A clandestine drug laboratory was in operation as police raided a Dandenong house.

A search at an Essendon address found a boxed-up drug lab.

A raid on an Oakleigh South house uncovered packets of Sudafed and a hydroponics set up.

Nine other men were charged with a variety of drug offences, the most serious being trafficking and possessing amphetamines. They are expected to appear again in court in November.

Assistant Commissioner Simon Overland said the Purana investigation into Melbourne's underworld killings had been broadened to incorporate illegal drug activity.

"We decided to focus on people we thought were involved in the manufacture of large amounts of illicit drugs," Mr Overland said.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org/amphetablog.html
Pubdate: Tue, 23rd August 2005
Source: The Melbourne Herald Sun (Australia)
Author: Patrick O'Neil, Paul Anderson and Mark Buttler
Email: hsletters@heraldsun.com.au
Copyright: 2005 The Melbourne Herald Sun
Website: http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/