Inside operation Addenine

POLICE Operation Addenine first became public knowledge in August 2016 when details emerged that detectives had uncovered one of the largest drug distribution networks in South East history.

Several Limestone Coast people were charged with numerous counts of drug trafficking involving the illicit substances “ice” and “fantasy”.

Four major players in the drug distribution network – David Puckridge, Troy Sharam, Shane Tippins and Jason Climas – were jailed for several years for the role they played in the syndicate.

The charged acts began on February 28, 2016, and on the following day Puckridge and Sharam travelled to Melbourne to acquire a “substantial amount of ice”.

It was only days later on March 4 when Sharam was arrested in a caravan at a Glencoe property and the wheels began to fall off their drug business.

Police located 48.92g of methylamphetamine, $18,000 cash and a .18 revolver and Sharam was remanded in custody, which is where he has been since the offending.

Despite being incarcerated, Sharam attempted to keep the network up and running from inside prison, whilst also formulating a plan for someone else to take the fall for his offending.

Puckridge would become the ringleader of the business and for just under three months he purchased more than $161,000 worth of drugs from different locations in South Australia and Victoria with the intention to sell.

Climas and Tippins had a smaller part to play in the business itself, but were still a major part of its demise.

On March 2, text messages of a conversation between Tippins and Sharam revealed Puckridge was on his way back from Melbourne and had 56g of “ice” for Tippins.

“Puck has gone home with some goodness of mine for u,” Sharam said in a text message to Tippins.

“There’s two big ones (ounces) there and you’ll have to pass some on … I need the deliveries done if that’s ok!”

On May 12 and twice on May 26, Tippins was involved in the sale of a small amount of “ice” to undercover operatives at three different locations in Mount Gambier.

Following further investigations by police, they raided a cabin at a local caravan park owned by Tippins on June 15, 2016, and found weapons and $6000 cash.

He was arrested and remanded in custody on that day.

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Police were able to obtain a number of police intercepts between Puckridge and Climas – who was described by Judge Sydney Tilmouth in court as the “delivery man”.

Over the course of Puckridge’s offending, Climas was involved in a number of the transactions, which involved the collection and delivery of drugs in South Australia and Victoria.

Police began closing in on Climas and Puckridge on May 24, 2016, following a failed drug transaction.

Police were able to obtain phone intercepts, which showed Climas was planning to leave methylamphetamine at a roadside location on behalf of Puckridge.

Another man was planning to pick up the drugs, however a police officer intercepted the communication and attended the location to seize the “ice”.

There was confusion between Climas and Puckridge over what happened to the drugs the following morning, however they still elected to drive to Geelong that day to obtain more methylamphetamine and fantasy.

At around 6.36pm on May 28, when Climas and Puckridge arrived in Hillcrest, Adelaide, after driving from Geelong, the game was up.

Police arrested Puckridge and Climas and seized the 12L of fantasy and 19.19g of methylamphetamine in the hired vehicle they were travelling in.

This arrest would be considered one of the most significant moments in the police operation as they now had their main men in custody and could begin planning the prosecution.

While Puckridge, Sharam, Tippins and Climas have all been sentenced to imprisonment, it is far from over, with a number of other defendants still involved in ongoing court proceedings in relation to Operation Addenine.