A joint crime operation has uncovered a widespread illicit drug distribution network, based on the Gold Coast and stretching along the east coast from Melbourne to Cairns, with links to outlaw motorcycle gangs.
Today Crime and Misconduct Commission officers, with the support of the Queensland Police Service, conducted a series of raids on properties in Cairns and on the Gold Coast.
Five (5) people were arrested on nineteen (19) drug related charges including trafficking and supply of dangerous drugs.
The raids were the final phase of an extensive covert investigation, ‘Operation Warrior’, which was a joint operation between the CMC and specialist units from the Queensland Police Service, Victoria Police and the New South Wales Police Force.
The operation commenced in 2009 to investigate organised criminal activity, particularly in relation to the production, supply and distribution of illicit drugs along the east coast of Australia.
The CMC’s Director of Crime Operations, Detective Acting Chief Superintendent Ian Parsons, said over the past year Operation Warrior had involved a large number of other raids, drug and cash seizures and arrests.
‘Just last month the joint task force executed search warrants on twenty (20) properties in Cairns, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sydney and Melbourne. More than $650,000 in cash was seized, as well as large amounts of cannabis, precursor chemicals for the production of GHB (fantasy) and hydroponics equipment,’ Det. A/Chief Supt Parsons said.
‘In total 71 arrests have been made on 283 serious drug related charges, including 24 people for drug trafficking.’
‘Investigators located approximately 2.5 kgs of methylamphetamine, 91 kgs of cannabis, 2.2 kgs of MDMA (ecstasy), 1.3 litres of GHB, steroids and cocaine, with a total estimated street value of about $2.5 million.’
‘A drug production laboratory and two hydroponics cannabis “grow houses” were also located during the investigation,’ Det. A/Chief Supt Parsons said.
‘In addition, a total amount of over $7m worth of property; including real estate, vehicles, a boat and $1.2m cash has been restrained as proceeds of crime.’
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