Pubdate: Sat, 19 Oct 2013 Source: Advertiser, The (Australia) Copyright: 2013 Advertiser Newspapers Ltd Contact: http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/news/opinion/sendletter Website: http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1 Author: Nigel Hunt Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?236 (Corruption - Outside U.S.) CORRUPTION CHARGE Police Arrest Female Officer With Link to Drug Trafficking Accused A FEMALE police officer closely linked to the alleged ringleader in the state's largest cannabis trafficking operation has been charged following a lengthy AntiCorruption 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 Sen-Constable Boughen, 40, of Mawson Lakes, is the former partner of Storm Alexander Strang - the alleged ringleader of the $40 million cannabis trafficking syndicate smashed by police in January. Court documents reveal that as part of Sen-Constable Boughen's 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 Ad vertiser have revealed that Sen-Constable 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. 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 operation, which dismantled a sophisticated 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 faces 31 counts of trafficking in a commercial quantity of a controlled drug, aggravated trafficking, money laundering and participating in a criminal organisation. 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 revealed that another of SenConstable Boughen's former partners is also before the courts on 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 houses at Brompton, Welland and Mt Barker. While it is not known how Sen-Constable Boughen became a target in the Anti-Corruption Branch investigation, sources say it is ongoing. When detectives raided her Mawson Lakes home, documents and a computer harddrive 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 Sen-Constable Boughen's alleged conduct or the drug operation. In April this year, Sen-Constable Boughen sold another property on Bridge Rd, Para Hills. Sen-Constable Boughen, who has been suspended on full pay, will appear in Holden Hill Magistrates Court next month. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom