OCTOBER 19, 2013 Holden Hill officer Senior Constable Amanda Boughen facing one count of obstructing or attempting to pervert the course of justice. A FEMALE police officer closely linked to the alleged ringleader in the states largest cannabis trafficking operation has been charged following a lengthy Anti-Corruption Branch investigation. The officer, Senior Constable Amanda Boughen, a patrol officer based at Holden Hill, is facing one count of obstructing or attempting to pervert the course of justice. While the exact nature of her alleged offending cannot be revealed, investigations by The Advertiser show that Snr Const. Boughen, 40, of Mawson Lakes, is the former partner of Storm Alexander Strang - the alleged ringleader in the $40 million cannabis trafficking syndicate smashed by police in late January. Court documents reveal that as part of Snr Const. Boughens bail conditions, she is not allowed to contact seven named people - including Storm Strang and his former partner, Kat Taylor, who is also facing serious charges. Investigations by The Advertiser have revealed that Snr. Const. Boughen has amassed a property portfolio since 2006 that includes three properties at Mawson Lakes and a townhouse in the city. All are mortgaged. Until a fortnight ago, she was driving a silver Porsche Cayenne four-wheel drive. Her former partner Strang, 41, of St Peters, is one of 16 South Australians charged as a result of the huge police investigation dubbed Operation Scarlett. Another 18 people were charged in Queensland and Western Australia as part of the same operation, which dismantled a sophisticated hydroponic cannabis growing syndicate. Police have alleged the syndicate had been running since 2008 and had produced cannabis worth $40 million during that time. When the accused were arrested in SA, detectives seized $200,000 in cash, 10kg of packaged cannabis, 171 plants, 56g of cocaine and a quantity of steroids. Strang is facing 31 counts of trafficking in a commercial quantity of a controlled drug, aggravated trafficking, money laundering and participating in a criminal organisation. His former partner Kat Taylor is also charged with participating in a criminal organisation and unlawful possession as part of Operation Scarlett. Both will appear in court again on November 8. Director of Public Prosecutions Adam Kimber, QC, has already launched confiscation of assets proceedings against Strang and Taylor. Restraining orders are in place over his Ninth Ave, St Peters property and another at Salisbury East. An ANZ bank account and a SeaDoo jet ski are also subject to an order. Investigations have also revealed that another of Snr Const. Boughens former partners is also before the courts on drug trafficking charges. Daryl Lee Joseph is facing trial on charges including aggravated cultivation of a controlled drug, possessing proscribed equipment and stealing electricity. The charges relate to hydroponic cannabis cultivation in grow houses discovered by police at Brompton, Welland and Mt Barker. While it is not known how Snr. Const. Boughen became a target in the Anti-Corruption Branch investigation, sources say it is ongoing. When detectives raided her Mawson Lakes home, a large quantity of documents and a computer hard-drive were seized. Lands Titles documents reveal one of her Mawson Lakes properties is jointly owned with another police officer, also a former boyfriend. That officer has been on an overseas police posting for some time and is not linked to either Snr. Const. Boughens alleged conduct or the drug operation. In April this year, Snr. Const. Boughen sold another property on Bridge Rd, Para Hills. Snr. Const. Boughen, who has been suspended on full pay, will appear in Holden Hill Magistrates Court to face the charge next month. The Advertiser has also learned that Snr Const. Boughen was disciplined in 1998 following an internal police investigation into a wild party involving police cadets and instructors at the Echunga police complex in the Adelaide Hills. Four police cadets - one of whom was Boughen - and four instructors were charged with disciplinary breaches after the party, held to mark the end of a cadet training course. Following a hearing in the Police Disciplinary Tribunal, her probationary period was extended as punishment. A spokeswoman for Police Commissioner Gary Burns yesterday confirmed an officer had been charged following an ACB investigation. As this matter is before the courts police will not be making any further comment, the spokeswoman said. NIGEL HUNT EXCLUSIVE THE ADVERTISER
Posted on: Mon, 21 Oct 2013 10:10:03 +0000
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