Detectives from the Major and Organised Crime Squad (MOCS) Rural have charged 39 people as part of two operations last week targeting rural crime and stock theft in South East Queensland.
Operation Tango Lyrical
Police have charged 30 people on 79 charges including drug and stolen property offences as part of Operation Tango Lyrical.
From October 20 - 22 a total of 35 search warrants were executed on rural properties in Leyburn, Tara, Dalby, Chinchilla, Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Gympie regions targeting offenders allegedly involved in supplying and possessing dangerous drugs.
During the searches, officers located and seized two cannabis hydroponic systems, 152 cannabis plants, 3.5kg cannabis, a small quantity of methylamphetamine, a shortened firearm, five stolen trailers and other stolen property. The seized drugs and stolen property have a combined value of approximately $708,000.
Investigations remain ongoing.
Operation Stock Check
On October 23 - 24 MOCS Rural investigators, with assistance from Road Policing Unit and local police, conducted a high visibility static road operation on the Warrego Highway at Warra, aimed at checking vehicles carrying livestock. The operation, Operation Stock Check, is part of a national, proactive, policing focus to prevent and disrupt the movement of stolen stock.
In addition to inspecting livestock vehicles and paperwork and monitoring for biosecurity compliance, the operation also focused on dangerous driving behaviour including drink and drug driving.
Results included:
- 9 people arrested on nine charges including four drug drivers
- 13 Traffic Infringement Notices issued including for speeding
- 1 biosecurity penalty infringement notice issued for failing to complete a stock movement record
- 504 roadside breath tests conducted.
MOCS Rural Detective Inspector Troy Pukallus said Operation Stock Check was part of MOCS Rural's ongoing strategies to disrupt stock and rural crime.
"Reported livestock theft in Queensland is the highest it has been in recent times, which is why we are encouraging rural communities to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to police," Detective Inspector Pukallus said.
