POLICE TAKE ASSETS IN FIRST USE OF NEW LAW

CONTROVERSIAL new legislation which enables police to freeze the assets
of suspected drug dealers has been used for the first time by South West
police as they step up the fight against drugs.

A recent shift in focus has seen police concentrate their efforts on
suspected dealers, rather than small-time users, and the exercise met
with success in Margaret River and Augusta last week.

Two men were charged as part of Operation Fed Up as a result of
information received from the community.

Peter George Violi, 35, of Auger Street, Margaret River was charged with
possession of cannabis, amphetamines and ecstasy, with intent to sell or
supply.

John Andrew Waghorn, 38, of Bussell Highway, Karridale, was charged with
attempting to manufacture amphetamines and this charge may be upgraded
to manufacturing amphetamines, pending further investigation.

Police called on the Criminal Property Confiscation Act 2000 to freeze
Violi's assets, most of which formed part of his mechanic business.

South West District Supt John Watson claimed Violi's ``unexplained
wealth'' led police to use the legislation for the first time.

The new Act requires the accused to prove he or she acquired the seized
assets legally.

Among the items seized were several vehicles, expensive tools and more
than $13,000 in cash which was allegedly found on the property.

Supt Watson said police had begun `wading upstream' to target drug
pushers.

``Drug dealers are bloodsuckers who prey on the vulnerability of others,
so now we're going to take their blood money off them,'' he said.

``Maybe we can make them suffer the anxiety that families of drug users
feel. ``If the public know of people selling or manufacturing drugs,
they should pick up the phone and let us know and help us put the finger
on crime.''