Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2008-06-17 Daily Xml

Contents

DRUGS, SUPPLY

In reply to the Hon. R.I. LUCAS (4 June 2008).

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Police, Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning): Molly, Jay and Hooch were purchased with the intention of deploying them in accordance with SAPOL's existing practices and policies. The dogs are fully utilised assisting with drug searches under the authority of Drug Warrants and General Search Warrants.

This financial year the Dog Operations Unit has conducted 1,074 general dog deployments, 1,274 drug detection deployments, 166 firearm detection deployments and 9 explosive detection deployments.

In relation to concerns raised about heroin laced ecstasy, South Australia Police (SAPOL) advises that neither SAPOL's Drug Investigation Branch nor Operation Mantle teams have received intelligence regarding the tablets.

Forensic Science SA on request from SAPOL have retested recent seizures of Ecstasy tablets and found none to be containing any trace of heroin.

Historically, heroin pressed together with a binding agent into a tablet form has been sold in Adelaide. This is not a new phenomenon and is not believed to be common.

Previous to the article appearing in the Adelaide Advertiser and the question being raised by the Hon Rob Lucas MLC, the Adelaide Local Service Area Mantle Team had in place appropriate arrangements in relation to the party reported to be occurring in Hindley Street. However, all indications were that the event was low scale.