Eight people have been arrested on 38 charges and over $745,000 worth of drugs and $158,000 in cash seized following a large joint QPS/CCC drug trafficking operation targeting former Hells Angels and Comancheros Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG) members from the Gold Coast.
Operation Maduro was commenced by the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) in 2016 and focused on the regular transportation of cocaine from Sydney to the Gold Coast. The Queensland Police Service’s Organised Crime Gangs Group provided assistance with tactical support during the operation.
It is alleged former OMCG members were involved in transporting drugs from Sydney to the Gold Coast and during the investigation a number of “safe houses” used in the commission of the crimes were identified.
Yesterday a tactical response involving staff from the Organised Crime Gangs Group and Gold Coast RAP was conducted on a number of addresses on the Gold Coast.
Assistance was also provided by Gold Coast Scenes of Crime Unit and photographic section. Drug detection dog units from the Queensland Police Service, Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force were also used during the action.
A total of 12 warrants were executed on addresses and as a result eight people were charged with offences including possession and production of dangerous drugs, and weapons charges.
During the operation police seized:
- 154 grams of cocaine
- 7 grams of ice
- $158,000 cash
- 89 mature cannabis plants in a hydroponic set up
- 40 cannabis plant seedlings
- 1 x loaded shotgun
- Drug implements
- 8 vials of steroids
- 192 steroid tablets
"The community need to be aware that OMCGs are not harmless motorcycle clubs—they are well organised criminal gangs causing harm and disruption across our country," Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar said.
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