In 2017, the Queensland Police Service (QPS), in partnership with the Australian Border Force (ABF) and Australia Post commenced Operation Detect - a nationwide operation focusing on disrupting and targeting dangerous drug distribution via domestic mail and digital environments.
This month, between October 24 – 27, police from the Mount Isa District Tactical Crime Squad (MIDTCS), Major Organised Crime Squad Northern (MOCS NR) and general duties police collaborated with Australian Border Force officers from the Jardena Strike Team North (QLD) to complete parcel post examinations and enforcement activities in Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Normanton and Karumba as part of Operation Gulf Detect.
During this deployment more than 1,700 parcels were examined by X-ray machine and drug detection dogs and four search warrants were executed.
Police seized $17,500 in cash, a modified handgun, quantities of suspected cannabis, methylamphetamine (ice), psilocybin (magic mushrooms) and steroidal agents.
Police have charged three people with drug offences while other investigations remain ongoing.
A 21-year-old Healy man was charged with attempting to possess a dangerous drug and possessing a dangerous drug. He is due to appear in the Mount Isa Magistrates Court on November 14.
A 27-year-old Winston man was charged with attempting to possess a dangerous drug, possessing a dangerous drug and possessing drug utensils. He is due to appear in the Mount Isa Magistrates Court on November 21.
A 27-year-old Cloncurry woman was charged with four counts of supplying a dangerous drug, possessing a thing used for a drug offence and possessing drug utensils. She appeared before the Mount Isa Magistrates Court on October 26 and was remanded in custody to re-appear on December 12.
Australia Post General Manager Group Security Kevin Zuccato said, "Australia Post takes the security and integrity of its supply chain seriously. We work collaboratively with Queensland Police Service and Australia Border Force to keep our communities safe."
Acting ABF Superintendent Heidi Rainbow highlighted the ABF's resolute commitment to disrupting criminals operating within Australia's supply chain.
"The infiltration of both local and international supply chains by criminal networks is well known, and the ABF is intensifying its efforts to shut down such networks and bring those responsible to justice," Acting Superintendent Rainbow said.
"Operation Gulf Detect is a prime example of the results we can achieve when we work in lockstep with our counterparts in law enforcement and industry."
MIDTCS Officer in Charge Sergeant Joel Bryant said, "Our enduring relationships and collaborative enforcement activities with federal agencies such as the ABF, is testament to our commitment to reducing the demand, supply and harm of dangerous drugs such as ice in our community".
Sergeant Bryant encourages anyone in our community who is suffering from drug dependence to seek support from Queensland Health's Alcohol and Drug Information Service or other support services or networks.
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.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
