Police say they have disrupted a major drug distribution operation along the Queensland coast after intercepting a car carrying an estimated $2.6 million worth of drugs and guns.
An extensive investigation under Operation Whiskey Yaniro led police to stop a car just off the Bruce Highway at Caboolture on Tuesday night.
Police searched the car and allegedly found 13kg of methamphetamine, 3kg of MDM, about 500g of heroin, about 25kg of cannabis, 15L of GHB and four firearms, and then searched a storage shed at Miami, on the Gold Coast, where they allegedly found another three firearms.
They allege the drugs were sourced from outlaw motorcycle groups and regularly distributed along the coast from Gold Coast to Cairns.
The driver of the car, a 43-year-old man from Scottville, west of Mackay, was arrested at the scene and has been charged with five counts of possessing dangerous drugs, four counts of unlawful possession of weapons, two counts of possessing relevant substances or things, and one count each of possessing anything for use in the commission of a crime defined in Part 2, possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence under the Drugs Misuse Act, and authority required to possess explosives.
Search warrants were also executed at two properties at Melrose Parade and Sixth Avenue, Maroochydore, where two associated of the man were arrested and subsequently charged.
A 54-year-old Fortitude Valley man has been charged with four counts of posing dangerous drugs, for counts of breach of bail condition, two counts of possessing relevant substances or things, possessing anything used in the commission of crime defined in Part 2, possess utensils or pipes for use, possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence under the Drugs Misuse Act, offence to buy or possess S4 or S8 medicines or hazardous poisons, and unlawful possessions of weapons.
He has been remanded in custody to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on June 24.
A 41-year old woman, also from Fortitude Valley, is due to appear in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on July 29 charged with one count each of possessing property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence, possessing dangerous drugs, supplying dangerous drugs, possessing anything used in the commission of a crime in Part 2, and possess tainted property.
Sunshine Coast Detective Inspector Chris Toohey described the bust as a significant moment for the east coast of Queensland.
“Police have taken a substantial amount of drugs off the streets that police will allege were on their way to communities from the Gold Coast north to Cairns,” he said.
“This sends a clear message to people involved in the production and distribution of drugs – it will not be tolerated.
“We will do everything in our power to stop dangerous drugs from hitting our streets and harming our kids, our friends and the wider community.”
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