A Deniliquin high?

[Arm out the window]

Or should that be Walter White?

[Squawk7700]

The video looks like it was shot by police, who then distribute it to the media. Is that a normal thing in Australia?

Not normally no... We may eventually see it in court or on a Police / crime show, but certainly not as quickly as this came to light. It's pretty graphic and in your face, not normal.

[Checklist Charlie]

The video looks like it was shot by police, who then distribute it to the media. Is that a normal thing in Australia?

Becoming more so. It would seem as though it is an attempt to massage public opinion and 'spin' the story to a prosecutions advantage. Police union spokespersons are also very good at the same thing, even before any investigation takes place.

CC

[spinex]

I have to say that if that video was intended as pr spin, it didn't work for me; I'm normally one to cut the police some slack, having to deal with ratbags day in and day out as they do, but it seemed rather ridiculous swamping one old pensioner with a virtual swat team and then telling him (handcuffed) that if he makes a move toward them, they'll take it as a threat

[TWT]

They always parade pics of drugs and guns seized,especially when it showcases results of the
'operation du jour',in this case the crackdown on organised crime with bikie links.

But that video reminds me of the reception which light aircraft that land in Indonesia without proper documents get.In other words,completely OTT and unnecessary.

[Draggertail]

SPINEX "I have to say that if that video was intended as pr spin, it didn't work for me; I'm normally one to cut the police some slack, having to deal with ratbags day in and day out as they do, but it seemed rather ridiculous swamping one old pensioner with a virtual swat team and then telling him (handcuffed) that if he makes a move toward them, they'll take it as a threat "


There is some video missing where I suggest the old boy may have put a bit of a struggle as they were getting him down off the plane. Just because the drug runner is getting on and handcuffed does not mean he will not bite or spit. The warning is probably pretty standard and appeared to have the desired affect. The cops had to go in with overwhelming force. They did not know if the pilot was armed and probably did not know until they got close if he was alone or not.

[spinex]

Draggertail, you may well be right, my comment related more at the wisdom of showing the video at all - I don't think too many hearts n minds were won over by that and that's coming from someone who has more than one family member serving or who has served. That aside, the haul may not be that impressive , but I wonder how long this has been going on and how many other loads are potentially involved, they certainly collared enough people across 3 states.

[TBM-Legend]

Any drugs off the street is good news. The scumbags that are involved deserve at least a wet newspaper or sand filled sock hiding before they get a good behaviour bond in our pathetic legal system.

Who remembers Donald Tait??

[Duck Pilot]

Very good work done by the police.

I hope they throw the book at the pilot and he does some time behind bars, AND NEVER FLIES AGAIN!

We don't need people like this in the industry.

[chimbu warrior]

TBM I remember Donald Tait, who intentionally force-landed an Aero Commander near Tindal, and then set it alight.

It was around 1977 IIRC, and I think he was detected by sheer co-incidence when an Orion noticed him crossing the coast inbound from Thailand.

His brother Ricky Tait (RIP) was a DCA examiner at Moorabin, and a real gentleman.

[Typhoon650]

This is how the real drug rings get their drugs, stealing it off other drug rings.
If you were smuggling drugs, why wouldn't you use something that you could open the door on in flight to jettison the gear if needed?

[mcoates]

Accredited media get this raw footage when operations like this are completed, its called a 'Hightail' link and you need to sign up for it and they send you very roughly edited footage.

The police have started doing these 'media shows' and tell the story so news channels dont make it up themselves and the stories are reported accurately, it comes across harder from the Police rather than some news reader.

As for the accused person John White, he was only a few doors down from my hangar, a customer and a really nice person on every occasion i interacted with him. You would think he was someones nice old grandpa, softly spoken, respectful and always polite and willing to lend a hand.

Give him a break until the full story comes out, he most probably is 110% guilty from the information to hand but like most modern movie plots..... they (the Hells Angels) may have his family at gunpoint demanding he fly the drugs or they get it! Today you never know.

Anyway, as a person who knew him really well from our little airport I can only wish him all the best in the days, weeks, months and probably years ahead.

[mcoates]

And now the jokes have started doing the rounds.

"He was refused bail in Deni court yesterday as the judge declared him to be a "flight" risk."

[magnum pi]

Around 10 or more years ago, some lads from Sydney (i think) were busted at Jandakot in an Aztec with a load of hard drugs on board.
That court case was still on going as of last year and the Aztec is still sitting on the grass at YPJT were it has been since they were busted...

Dont think its worth much any more.. Dont hold out to much hope of being able to pick up a bargain machine from these drug busts !

pi