Police catch man ‘digging for meth’
An alleged bikie associate has been arrested in dramatic fashion after allegedly digging up buried methamphetamine in bushland in Perth’s south, leaving his young child in the car to do so.
WA Police have released body cam vision of the arrest on Tuesday in the Mandurah suburb of Stake Hill, when police watched 30-year-old Ashley Crawford entering bushland off Fishhawk Rd carrying a shovel.
He allegedly dug up two barrels and removed 1kg of meth from one when detectives swooped in, causing him to run.
He was tackled to the ground and handcuffed; officers went to his vehicle and found his three-year-old child waiting inside.
Detectives allege the barrels, including the kilo removed, contained a combined 15kg of methamphetamine.
Mr Crawford, who police claim is an associate of the Coffin Cheaters, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday, charged with five offences, including possession of a trafficable quantity of meth; possession of smaller amounts of dexamphetamine and cocaine; possession of stolen goods; and possession of ammunition.
He was refused bail, and will remain in custody until his next appearance on September 26.
Detective Senior Sergeant Blair Smith on Thursday told the media the drugs have a street value of about $15m.
“We are working closely with the gang crime squad to continue to cause maximum disruption … [to] the motorcycle gang activity in our community,” Mr Smith said.
He also said the child being brought along is a “sad, tragic circumstance.”
“No one would expect to bring a child along to recover any amount of drugs,” Mr Smith said.
Detectives on Friday had received a tip which led them to a further 12kg of meth buried in bushland in the northern Perth suburb of Dianella.
Investigations into those buried drugs are ongoing.
