The sight of police cars cruising about Magnetic Island , converging on a number of residences , disgorging eight officers , did not go unnoticed by residents, but failed to attract the notice of the mainland media .
As the island based force is small, the fact that eight were involved indicated that it was organised from Townsville , perhaps in the build up to Halloween , a Full Moon Halloween Party held on the island , attended by about 2700 , the crowd said to have been generally well behaved.
The word soon went out that it was a drug raid , but the mainland media , somehow, did not pick up the story . Two houses , which locals refer to as containing "druggies "received attention .
In the October 31 oddly written POLICE REPORT in the Magnetic Community News there was no mention of a drug raid as such involving police from Townsville . In something of an understatement , it said the Magnetic Island police had a busy week .
Two local men , one at Picnic Bay and another at Arcadia, had been charged on October 26 for possession of a dangerous drug . A tourist was charged with possession of dangerous drugs in Nelly Bay on Saturday , October 28. On the same day another tourist was arrested and charged with possession of dangerous drugs , obstructing police and breaching bail conditions .
The Police Report then continued with three more paragraphs all starting with Also , relating to events on October 28 . The also rans included a Nelly Bay resident being charged with possession of dangerous drugs, possession of drug utensils and producing dangerous drugs ; a tourist issued with an infringement notice for public nuisance and threatening behaviour ; a tourist booked for making unnecessary noise or smoke , his vehicle immobilised for 90 days.
No mention of money seized , if any , and details of what was involved in the production of dangerous drugs - a factory on the island ? Any police reporters in the mainland media will surely follow up this story . Don't bet on it , save your money for a Melbourne Cup sweep .
Breaking slow news : The Murdoch Townsville Bulletin has finally caught up with what should be a front page story, seeing it got a run in the Sydney Morning Herald and elsewhere , that the Anglican and Catholic bishops of Townsville issued a joint statement calling for discussion on environment challenges , the proposed Adani coalmine a major issue . The Bulletin gave it a P7 run, headed : Church denies bias on Adani .
Breaking slow news : The Murdoch Townsville Bulletin has finally caught up with what should be a front page story, seeing it got a run in the Sydney Morning Herald and elsewhere , that the Anglican and Catholic bishops of Townsville issued a joint statement calling for discussion on environment challenges , the proposed Adani coalmine a major issue . The Bulletin gave it a P7 run, headed : Church denies bias on Adani .
