The EX messiah rants as he waves his fist and his megaphone at the sky, Amaroo Australia, Sept 2002. Ackland used a truck covered with propaganda and a megaphone to harass attendees at events featuring Prem Rawat. In a failed attempt to force entry through the gate, Ackland used the truck to barge his way through the crowd.

Even after his arrest Ackland continued to post his bizarre messages on an exes' forum known by some as "hate central." He now calls himself "the two and a half million dollar man." The following quote is an extract from an attack on this web site over my criticism of John Macgregor:

"So have a go at me why don't you? Pick on someone your own size who has nothing to loose and doesn't give two hoots what anyone thinks. You can accuse me of being a drug baron and a sex maniac, things I have fantasized about for years."

The next quote comes from another post written around the same time:

"I had a taste of small town hero status ... after appearing on the Channel 7 Today Tonight program in September. It went to my head - I want to be famous and I'm mad for more. I'm a self-confessed media tart and a publicity addict, with a passion for the unpredictability. I always like to (go) off with a bang and burst onto the scene to gasps from adoring fans, but seeing fans are in short supply, I'll have to settle for moans from the disciples of the living lord."

Such bizarre statements reveal far more about Ackland than they do about this web site, Prem Rawat or his supporters. Moreover, who in their right mind would cultivate and process a large cannabis crop on their own property in Rednecksville, QLD, a state which Ackland knows has the most draconian drug laws in Australia? He has also been charged with possession of "unlicensed and unsecured firearms." Add paranoia to his list of problems.

The written evidence and his well documented activities ( cannabis cultivation included) clearly suggest that Ackland has lost the plot in a major way. In the process, he has fallen under the influence of a small, vicious anti-Maharaji hate cult. They have encouraged his harassment of people attending events at Ivory's Rock Conference Centre in Australia. They have published his letters and used him to serve their purpose.

One-reality received this e-mail early on Saturday 8th February 2003.

"Guess who is facing drug and firearms charges? Neville Rodney Ackland age 54, our lone protester at the recent Amaroo events. Police acting on a tip off seized marijuana worth $2.5 million from his Mt Greville Moogerah property south of Ipswich on Wednesday 5th Feb. 857 plants and 52 Kg of dried plant as well as a cache of unlicensed and unsecured firearms. Appearing in Ipswich Court on Thursday 6th Feb he has been given bail and summoned to appear in the Brisbane Supreme Court at a later date. Source of this information: Queensland times Newspaper front page, DRUG BUST. Friday 7/2/03"

This was followed on Sunday by a more detailed report.

"Queensland Times, Ellen Quinn

Police have seized Marijuana worth more than $2.5 million in one of Ipswich's biggest drug busts in years. Around the same time as police unloaded 857 plants and 52kg of dried marijuana from their vehicles yesterday. Neville Ackland, 54, appeared in Ipswich Magistrates Court charged with drug offenses. Acting Inspector Brad Weller said the drug haul was one of Ipswich's biggest in years. "This will definitely put a hole in the Ipswich Marijuana trade for a while I think," he said. Inspector Weller said police searched a Mt Greville property at Moogerah on Wednesday night after a tipoff and stumbled across hundreds of plants. He said the 52kg of dried material was found spread across a large number of rubbish bins. "We were out at the property for five hours this morning digging out the plants and transporting everything back to the station," he said yesterday. "This afternoon we'll organise some samples to be taken and then the remainder will be destroyed." Police have alleged the marijuana belonged to Mr Ackland. He was charged with producing, possessing and supplying a dangerous drug as well as possessing drug related equipment. Ackland also faces charges of possessing unlicensed and unsecured firearms. He was given bail and the matter will be heard again in Brisbane Supreme Court at a later date."

Many thanks to those who took the time and trouble to type and send these reports to me. On Monday 10th Feb, I contacted the QLD Police Media and Public Relations Branch and confirmed that Ackland had been arrested and had appeared in court. the webmaster

"I have known Neville and John for 20 years. Neville Ackland is a very intense, extremely highly strung sort of guy. He looks thin and haunted. He definitely has issues. I have heard that his marriage of 15 years has finished recently.

My personal feeling is that Neville never got over not being important. Ambition, misplaced expectations, sour grapes ..."

This is a portion of an e-mail received 2 weeks before Ackland's arrest.

Q. How many locals have contacted IRCC to apologize for listening to Neville?

A. Six and counting. (12th Feb)

Q. How many ex-premies believe everything they read on the internet?

A. Those who believe Neville is an innocent, honest, conscious eco warrior whose unsullied heart was hurt by a nasty man far far away.

Driving a truck covered with propaganda through a throng of people while giving "black power" salutes, with horn blaring and hazard lights flashing is not a peaceful protest - it is harassment. Opinions about your antics at Amaroo last September vary greatly. Some of the guests attending the event were offended. Others regarded you as a ridiculous joke. The local residents, who really know nothing of Prem Rawat and his work, were prime targets for the sensationalist propaganda that covered your truck. At the time, they were generally supportive of you, but without the help of a TV network you would have been regarded as a raving nut. Sympathetic editing (as you have admitted) and professional commentary gave your performance a veneer of legitimacy. Overnight you achieved a kind of cult hero Aussie battler status. You should have realized how quickly and dramatically all of that can change for those who possess unlicensed guns and derive their income from large scale 'green enterprise.' The locals who applauded you a few months ago have been calling IRCC to apologize for listening to you. Of course, there will be hundreds of others who may not take the time to call, but who will read about the charges pending against you and judge you accordingly.

You see, there is a direct relationship between those charges - your alleged drug cultivation, the firearms charges - and your criticism of Prem Rawat. Would any rational person cultivate and process a large drug crop on their own property in a state which has the most draconian drug laws in Australia? To say the least, your ability to make any kind of rational assessment about any topic has been called into question. Or to put it bluntly, your apparent credibility has been destroyed along with the $2.5 million worth of dope discovered on your property.

There is a disturbing trend amongst exes that you also seem to share; it is the tendency to project your own fantasies, paranoia and delusional behavior onto others. In one of your essays (I have a copy) you accuse a staff member at IRCC of carrying a "sub machine gun"* - but it is you who have been charged with possession of unlicensed and unsecured firearms. (*Readers please note: Automatic/semi-automatic weapons cannot be legally purchased in Australia.) With reference to my article about Macgregor, you have accused me of character assassination. However, you and your associates have done exactly that to Prem Rawat. Your associates have been getting away with it for years! The difference is that my article was accurate and factual. If you really believe otherwise, you have been conned.(2006 - See Macgreggor's affidavit)

None of us were sorry to hear the news of your arrest, but I am not gloating over it. A few people may be, but in my view, the entire affair since your exit has been tragic. You were once one of us - so much potential, and yet so much lost. I suspect that you have been manipulated by the people you thought were supporting you. There is another tragic aspect to your drug bust: your son will almost certainly have to pay a price for your stupidity - a victim by association. It isn't a pretty picture. Sorry to burst your delusional bubble.

If convicted, ( Is anyone placing bets to the contrary? ) you will almost certainly face a stiff jail term. Frankly, I think you need help - not jail. My final comment may come as a surprise. I wish you the best of luck and a very good lawyer when you appear before the Brisbane Supreme Court. the webmaster

Ackland will eventually have to appear before the Brisbane Supreme Court, however, his case is not currently listed. Enquiries yielded the following responses:

The guy simply has an adjournment.The process itself takes a little time to be publicly listed. I think the minor league TV network involved has no idea of his pending legal dilemma :). But I think they may well get some insight into the matter soon.

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You see this is what happens when you identify a coupla crims working for you and sack them. I tell you , you just can't get good help these days!
You know the type - disgruntled former employees caught cultivating, harvesting and trafficking a MULTI Million Dollar DOPE CROP!I think Nev's appearance would make for fascinating viewing. What's he gonna say - the devil made me do it?
(And this time around the mail against them will come from within the industry. No more free rides for the boys...)

I wouldn't worry about it. The police or the Public Prosecutor (shocking spelling) may not have finished reviewing the evidence as yet. There could be more charges being considered, or a Charge bargaining may have been started by Mr Ackland's legal team. If the second case is correct, then Mr Ackland may be co-operating with the QLD police force. If that be the case Mr Ackland would be expected to name the other people involved in the crime he is charged with, so things may become more interesting. Im sure any one from Maharaji's organisation or their legal team will be able to point out Mr Ackland's past indiscretions to the news media should he appear at IR. Comments? *take care*Q*

I think Neville has had his day in the sun. The correct response from IRCC and EV PR to any negative media in Australia is - 'yes, Neville made allegations and demonstrated last year after he was asked to leave the conference center and he now involved in a court case involving millions of dollars worth of drugs and illegal fire arms. Draw you own conclusions'. IRCC will surely apply for an order to prohibit Neville from approaching IRCC or any attendees on the grounds that he has threatened Maharaji and others and has been charged with possessing mind altering drugs and illegal firearms. Who knows what this loon will do. MB