During 1997-98 operations closed by the State Drug Investigation Group led to the arrest of 196 persons on 1,099 charges, including 51 charges for trafficking and 21 for producing dangerous drugs. A total of $200,000 in property (including cash) was forfeited to the Crown and a further $3M in cash and property identified in pecuniary penalty order applications, restraining orders or seized as tainted property. There were 34,347 drug offences reported during the year. (AR1997-8)
In a 19 months-long joint operation between the Queensland Police Drug Investigation Group, Australian Police Force, accountants, interpreters and surveillance teams a prolific drug gang, which operated out of the Gold Coast was neutralised. As a result of this undercover operation, one by one members of the Romanian drug ring were arrested. John P., assisted by his wife in all illicit transactions, was charged with a total of 14 counts of trafficking in a dangerous drug, supplying a dangerous drug, possession of a thing used in connection with the commission of a crime defined in part 2 of the Drugs Misuse Act 1986, and witness corruption.
Heroin, contained in paper.
John P., described as medium built, with fair complexion and black hair, was known to the police. As he mainly targeted shopping centres and recreational areas along the Coast, undercover operatives were positioned in the areas frequented by the defendant. On separate occasions undercover officers purchased heroin in popular places like Burleigh Heads, Yatala, Coomera and Helensvale Shopping Centres. The defendant and his wife were also seen concealing drugs in the rock walls and garden beds of Windaroo and Broadbeach malls.
Between April and November, 1997, the defendant was detected by electronic surveillance methods and by surveillance police for transacting the supply of heroin to others including an undercover officer. When interviewed regarding this the defendant denied any involvement in the supply of heroin. According to the evidence, the couple was convinced God was protecting them as they were the last of the ring to continue trafficking.
Film canisters, used to conceal drugs.
It was alleged that the accused benefited from these crimes to the value of $15,700, for in 1997, heroin retailed for roughly $200-220 per gram. A further 100 grams of heroin were confiscated after the arrest. The defendant plead guilty to all counts and was convicted at the Supreme Court of Queensland and sentenced to 9 years imprisonment.
Today supplying Schedule 1 drugs (e.g. amphetamines, cocaine, heroin, LSD and ecstasy) carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in jail. Maximum penalties of imprisonment depend on the type of drug and its quantities.
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This information has been provided by the Queensland Police Museum from the best resources available. The article was written by Museum Volunteer and Crime and Policing Historian Dr Anastasia Dukova and is from the recollections of Senior Sergeant Gavin Ricketts, currently OIC of Caloundra Police Station.
The Police Museum is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane. Contact: E: museum@police.qld.gov.au
“FROM the VAULT – Trafficking in a Dangerous Drug” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence.
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