Latest news with #illicitdrugs
ABC News
3 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
AFL boss Andrew Dillon explains why league is yet to finalise new-look illicit drugs code
The AFL is at least weeks away from finalising its new-look illicit drugs code, with chief executive Andrew Dillon determined to negotiate a policy that is "fit for purpose". The AFL and players' association have been in talks for months about how the code should be developed, with some critics calling for zero tolerance. But the players' association, who approved the creation of the code in 2005, are determined that it stay primarily a welfare and health policy. "We want to make sure we have the policy that is fit for purpose for '25 and beyond and it's a policy that has buy-in obviously from the AFL, the players' association, our clubs and our playing group," Dillon said on Tuesday. "We will take the time to make sure that it's right." The revised illicit drugs policy — separate to the standard anti-doping policy — will be a key responsibility for Laura Kane. Kane was a big casualty in Dillon's executive shake-up announced last Friday, with her football operations role split in two. Current Brisbane CEO Greg Swann will join the AFL and become the new head of football performance, while Kane will be in charge of football operations. Her portfolio will now include operations for the AFL and AFLW, the strategic growth of the AFLW and managing the league's mental health and healthcare unit. "Laura is a valued member of the executive team — she has an incredible portfolio, a big portfolio in front of her now," Dillon said. "What I've said is we want to make sure we have a structure that allows the AFL to continue the momentum we have, into the future. "She's done amazing work in the three years she's been at the AFL. What we have now with Greg coming in looking after the football performance, Laura continuing to run football operations — football is at the core of what we do. Another major change to Dillon's executive team is the imminent departure of Indigenous and inclusion manager Tayna Hosch. Her role, which includes gender, will be folded into the corporate affairs portfolio. "Tanya, in her nearly nine years at the AFL, did an incredible amount of work in this space," Dillon said. "We have incredible leaders across all tiers of the organisation — Denise Bowden, who's just joined our commission, an Indigenous advisory council that's working really well. "What we will have is more leaders and more voices across the organisation. Our commitment to our inclusion is as strong as it's ever been." Dillon is also days away from appointing his chief operating officer. Club chief executives Tom Harley (Sydney), Ameet Bains (Western Bulldogs) and Simon Garlick (Fremantle) are the key candidates, while there is speculation Melbourne Cricket Club boss Stuart Fox also might be in the running. While Dillon's executive changes follow months of growing concerns about how the AFL is performing, he is bullish about the league. "What the announcements from last week do is ensure we can continue the momentum we have and make sure we're set up for success going into the future," he said. Dillon was speaking at the announcement of free admission for children under 14 later this season. Select games will feature the initiative in rounds 16-19 and all Victorian games will be free for kids in round 21. AAP
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Health
- News.com.au
New AFL footy performance manager Greg Swann will not lead the competition's war on drugs
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon says new general manager of football performance Greg Swann will not lead the competition's fight against illicit drugs. Dillon and the AFL remain in the hunt for a new deputy chief but bolstered its panel by unveiling Swann, the former Brisbane chief executive, as its newest member on Monday. Dillon says the highly criticised illicit drugs policy will not be tackled by Swann and will instead be overseen by the demoted Laura Kane. 'Within the structure now the drugs policy will sit within the healthcare unit which Laura Kane will lead,' Dillon said. 'We've been having productive discussions with the PA (AFL Players' Association) over a number of months, we're working collaboratively with them on a really complex issue. 'We want to make sure we have a policy that is fit for purpose for '25 and beyond and is a policy that has buy in from the AFL, the Players' Association, our clubs and our playing group. 'We will take the time to do the work to make sure that it's right.' Dillon is working with the AFLPA, the players and the club to find a policy which is 'fit for purpose'. He says illicit drugs is a 'societal issue we're all confronting' and not a problem exclusive to the playing cohort. 'I think what we will have is a policy that's fit for purpose for the AFL and the Players' Association and the clubs and the players going forward,' he said. 'Illicit drugs use is a societal issue and is not something we can shy away from but what we want to do is make sure we've got a policy that is right for the AFL. 'Ultimately, it's a societal issue we're all confronting.' Dillon is closing in on a deputy chief, with Tom Harley (Sydney), Ameet Bains (Western Bulldogs) and Simon Garlick (Fremantle) reported as leading contenders. He says the AFL is in communication with the leading candidates now and is hopeful of an imminent appointment. 'We've got some really strong candidates who we're talking to at the moment and we're hopeful of making an announcement,' Dillon said. 'But not until we've got that locked away, I am not going to go into any individuals, but what I will say is we've got a really strong field of candidates we're talking to.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Seven men charged after cops bust alleged plot to bring in more than 300kg of drugs from overseas - and the shocking discovery in a shipment from Canada
Seven men have been charged after allegedly plotting to bring more than 300kg of illicit drugs into Australia. Since September 2023, detectives were investigating a 42-year-old man and his associates for allegedly importing and supplying large amounts of prohibited drugs and illicit tobacco. The men were allegedly claiming to have the ability to circumvent border controls with shipments coming in from Canada, the United Arab Emirates and Panama. Police allege the 42-year-old man was using a freight forwarding company in Punchbowl, south west of Sydney, to import the drugs. More than 280kg of liquid methamphetamine was located in an industrial cooler imported from Vancouver, Canada, in July 2024, allegedly organised by the man. Police continued their investigation into the man who allegedly continued to use the freight forwarding company. Over three separate consignments, the man allegedly imported more than 20 million cigarettes from the United Arab Emirates. In May, investigators established the man was planning to import 50kg of cocaine concealed in cement bags loaded in a shopping container from Panama. Police allege the man asked two other men - who flew to Australia from Canada - to help retrieve the cocaine from the cement bags and to help supply it to organised crime groups in NSW. Investigators arrested four men at about 2pm on Friday after executing six search warrants in Moorebank, Punchbowl, Smithfield, Doonside and Mt Annan.
CTV News
4 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Northern Ont. police seize several guns, cocaine, meth and magic mushrooms
Marathon police seized prohibited firearms, as well as suspected illicit substances, including cocaine, methamphetamine and psilocybin. Two people from Marathon, Ont., have been charged with drug and weapons offences after a raid of a residence in the community uncovered several weapons and a large cache of drugs. Ontario Provincial Police raided the McLeod Drive residence May 22 following an investigation into drug trafficking in the community. 'During the search, officers seized prohibited firearms, as well as suspected illicit substances, including cocaine, methamphetamine and psilocybin,' the OPP said in a news release Monday. Two Marathon residents -- a 40-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman -- face several drug trafficking charges. In addition, the man is charged with two counts of failing to comply with a release order, several weapons-related offences and two counts of possession of property obtained by crime. The woman has been released with a July 16 court date in Marathon, while the man is still in jail.
CTV News
29-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Man arrested twice in 2 weeks after traffic stops lead to large drug seizures
Methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine and GHB were seized by Edmonton police after officers stopped at truck for "excessively tinted windows" on May 14, 2025. (Supplied) Police say tinted windows led to charges of drug trafficking against two men in Edmonton earlier this month – one of which had been arrested and charged with the same a week prior. On May 14, police said officers were patrolling proactively near 107 Avenue and 101 Street when they stopped a black Dodge Ram for 'excessively tinted windows.' Upon further investigation, officers found the following drugs: 249 grams of methamphetamine; 21 grams of fentanyl; 56 grams of cocaine; and 30 ml of GHB. The drugs are estimated to be worth more than $22,000 on the street. A 40-year-old and 50-year-old man were arrested and each charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and proceeds of crime. The men are scheduled to appear in court on June 5 and May 29, respectively. The 40-year-old man was arrested just a week before on May 6 after a traffic stop that ended in the seizure of more than $32,000 in drugs. 'A traffic stop may appear minor, but it remains one of the most effective points of contact for detecting illegal weapons and drugs on our streets,' said Edmonton Police Service Staff Sgt. Patrick Stevens. 'People often wonder why police focus on minor traffic violations — but the recovery of $22,000 in illicit drugs makes the reason clear.'
