Detectives from Organised Crime Gangs Group - Gold Coast Major and Organised Crime Squad supported by Gold Coast and Logan District and specialist units have charged eight people on 58 offences through a major operation targeting drug trafficking and organised crime across south-east Queensland.
Through protracted investigations under Operation Whiskey Ghost which commenced in April last year, police executed search warrants at six addresses, including Coomera Waters, Varsity Lakes, Daisy Hill and Upper Coomera.
During the search warrants police seized seven firearms, ammunition, several mobile phones, fireworks and $30,000 in cash.
A quantity of illicit drugs was also located and seized, including cocaine, amphetamine, MDMA, cannabis, steroids and drug utensils.
A 41-year-old Coomera Waters man was charged with five counts of supply dangerous drugs and one count each of trafficking dangerous drugs and possess dangerous drugs. He is due to appear at Southport Magistrates Court on February 13.
A 36-year-old Coomera Waters man was charged with 11 counts of supply dangerous drugs, two counts of possess things used in crime and one count each of trafficking dangerous drugs and possess dangerous drugs. He is to appear at Southport Magistrates Court on February 12.
A 48-year-old Coomera Waters man was charged with three counts of possess dangerous drugs and one count each of possess anything used in the commission of crime and possess tainted property. He is due to appear at Southport Magistrates Court on March 4.
A 42-year-old Robina man was charged with one count each of possess dangerous drugs, property suspected and explosives (fireworks). He is due to appear at Southport Magistrates Court on March 13.
A 36-year-old Daisy Hill man was charged with three counts supply dangerous drugs, two counts each of possess dangerous drugs, possess Category A weapons and Category B weapons, and one count each of possess schedule 4 medicine, possess explosives and possess things used in crime. He is due to appear at Beenleigh Magistrates Court on March 19.
A 38-year-old Upper Coomera man was charged with one count each of possess steroid, possess amphetamines, possess relevant substance, possess utensils and contravene access order. He is due before Southport Magistrates Court on February 13.
A 22-year-old Pimpama man was issued a Notice to Appear for two counts of supply dangerous drug and one count of possess dangerous drug. He is due to appear at Southport Magistrates Court on February 19.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie commended the officers involved.
"Consuming, producing, trafficking, and possessing illicit drugs causes serious harm to society, and our frontline police work tirelessly to disrupt these types of activities," Minister Purdie said.
"These arrests and drug seizures will have a substantial impact on the illicit drug market not only in Logan and the Gold Coast, but across the entire state."
Acting Detective Inspector Chad Davis from Organised Crime Gangs Group said Operation Whiskey Ghost was aimed at detecting, disrupting, and deterring organised criminal activity in the Gold Coast and Logan districts.
"This ongoing multi-unit operation commenced in April last year to target and remove dangerous drugs from our streets.
"Illicit drugs have no place in our community, and we will continue to target those who choose to supply and traffic drugs and cause harm.
"If any member of the community has any information at all in relation to the use, supply or trafficking of illicit drugs in the community, I encourage them to report the matter to Police via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. It doesn't matter how small or insignificant you believe the information to be, that information may be the piece of the puzzle police need to identify and dismantle a drug offending syndicate."
Police encourage anyone in our community that is suffering from drug dependence to seek support from Queensland Health's Alcohol and Drug Information Service.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
