Review of the Police Powers (Drug Premises) Act 2001 - NSW ...

5.7.3. Non-domestic drug premises – Greater Metropolitan Region
Of the 42 drug premises in the Greater Metropolitan Region (excluding Cabramatta), one appeared to be non-domestic. This premises
was described in an event narrative in the following way:
The premises itself is a two bedroom granny- flat at the rear of the main premises. Inside police observed that the flat had no
furniture, no cooking utensils, no fridge or washing machine, no food in any of the rooms. One double bed size mattress was seen
to be on the floor of the main bedroom…
Situated on the floor in front of the mattress in the main bedroom was a small paine of glass placed horizontally over a small plastic
stool. Strategically positioned on the paine of glass were small piles of off-white powder, believed to be heroin. Beside the stool
were numerous assorted coloured water balloons, In the same area there was also a number of water balloons rolled in small
balls…
In the front bedroom where the mattress and the paine of glass were located. There was also a small electric heater, a television, a
video player, and a number of videos on a small stand. Apart from these there was no other furniture inside this room. 391
Police did not note the presence of any security measures in this instance. Police seized 120 grams of heroin, 28 grams of cannabis and
a total of $1590 from the four people found on the premises. Two of the men were charged with being found on drug premises and with
several supply offences, and two were charged with supply offences and with goods in custody. 392
5.7.4. Non-domestic fortified drug premises - Inner Metropolitan Region
There were two non-domestic drug premises in this region. These premises also had various security measures that were noted by police.
One premises, a unit, had a security grill covered in gauze on the front door, with a small hole cut into the mesh near the door handle, and
police had received information that drugs are passed through the hole in the gauze. 393 There was also a solid wooden door behind the
security grill. 394 While the unit had some furnishings, including a two-seater lounge, television and a play station, according to police, it
did not “appear to be lived in on a regular basis”. 395 A police scanner was also found sitting on a coffee table in the lounge room. Police
reported that, in the kitchen, there was some canned foods and cereal that looked like they had been there for a while, no fresh food in the
cupboards or the refrigerator, and a bong on a shelf in one of the kitchen cupboards. 396
A second drug premises in the Inner Metropolitan Region was also identified as non-domestic and secured. The house was described in
the event narrative as follows:
Police observations of the premises were that metal grill doors were on the front and rear. The house itself had little or no furnishings
at all. There was little or no food. [Defendant’s name] is unemployed and has been so for some period of time. Two of the persons
present at the time the warrant was executed admitted attending the premises solely to possess/use prohibited drugs. The drugs,
scales, plastic resealable bags and [defendant’s name] admission to supplying drugs all lead Police to allege that the premises
were being utilised as a drug house. 397
5.7.5. Non-domestic drug premises - Southern Region
Only one drug premises in the Southern Region appeared to be non-domestic.
Police arrived at this premises and found six people, four of whom fled, but were chased and apprehended. When police searched the
premises, officers found syringes and swabs, $625, and 3.58 grams of amphetamines on one person. Quantities of money ranging
between $230 and about $340 were found on other people who had been in the house. 398 No security measures or surveillance devices
were noted in relation to the premises. In the event narrative, police concluded:
The Drug premises Warrant was executed where evidence was found to support the declaration of the premises to be a “drug
house”. The premises was devoid of all furniture, there was evidence of drug use, with numerous syringes and swabs apparent.
One of the persons also arrested on the premises was found in possession of prohibited drugs and cash. 399
391 COPS event narrative 1, Greater Metropolitan Region, Drug Premises Incident 23.
392 Ibid.
393 COPS event narrative 2, Inner Metropolitan Region, Drug Premises Incident 6.
394 Ibid.
395 Police statement, Inner Metropolitan Region, Drug Premises Incident 6.
396 Ibid.
397 COPS event narrative, Inner Metropolitan Region, Drug Premises Incident 16.
398 COPS event narratives, Southern Region, Drug Premises Incident 7. Police found $323.30 on the other person on the premises.
399 COPS event narrative 1, Southern Region, Drug Premises Incident 7.
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NSW Ombudsman
Review of the Police Powers (Drug Premises) Act 2001