Detectives from Carseldine Criminal Investigation Branch have charged 29 people with over 180 offences, including 12 charged with trafficking, following the closure of Operation Tango Balboa, dismantling a complex drug trafficking syndicate operating throughout South-East Queensland.
Investigations into the syndicate allegedly identified over 25 drug couriers connected to a 35-year-old Upper Mount Gravatt man who supplied methylamphetamine.
Throughout the 14-month-long operation, detectives allegedly seized over 18 kilograms of methylamphetamine, approximately $556,000 in cash, and two firearms. Police also located significant amounts of ketamine and cocaine.
It will be alleged that dangerous drugs, worth in excess of $50 million, were sold over at least a one-year period.
On January 19 during a search of a vehicle allegedly used by the group, detectives allegedly located a concealed area containing approximately six kilograms of methylamphetamine, $330,000 cash, a commercial money counter, cocaine and a mobile device.
On February 1, detectives executed a search warrant at an area of bushland near Kholo, northwest of Brisbane, where they allegedly located a demountable with multiple items used to produce illicit drugs as well as approximately 12 kilograms of methylamphetamine. A 61-year-old Kholo man was charged with one count of drug trafficking, possessing dangerous drugs (exceeding schedule 4), producing dangerous drugs, supplying dangerous drugs, possessing relevant things, possessing relevant substances, possessing instructions, Unlawful possession of weapons, modifying construction of firearms, and other drug-related offences. He has appeared in court and has been granted bail to re-appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on February 20.
A 35-year-old Upper Mount Gravatt man was charged with one count of drug trafficking, possessing dangerous drugs (exceeding schedule 3), and other drug-related offences. He appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on February 6 and was remanded in custody to re-appear March 27.
A 34-year-old Durack man was charged with four counts of possessing dangerous drugs, two counts of drug trafficking, producing dangerous drugs (exceeding schedule 4), receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking, and other drug-related offences. He has appeared in court and has been remanded in custody to re-appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on February 20.
A 35-year-old Fitzgibbon man was charged with one count of drug trafficking, eleven counts of supplying dangerous drugs, receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking, possessing dangerous drugs, and other drug-related offences. He has appeared in court and has been remanded in custody to re-appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on March 13.
A 28-year-old Aspley man was charged with one count of drug trafficking, four counts of supplying dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs, and other drug-related offences. He has appeared in court and has been bailed to re-appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on February 20.
A 40-year-old Pinkenba woman was charged with two counts of drug trafficking, eleven counts of supplying dangerous drugs, unlawful possession of weapons, receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking, and other drug-related offences. She has appeared in court and has been bailed to re-appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on March 13.
Detective Senior Sergeant Ken Rogers, Officer in Charge of Carseldine Criminal Investigation Branch said Operation Tango Balboa was a significant law enforcement operation targeting a well organised and sophisticated drug trafficking network.
Throughout the 14-months of the operation, Carseldine detectives were supported by federal law enforcement partner agencies, as well as specialist police from various units within the QPS's Crime and Intelligence Command and units within Brisbane Region.
I commend the diligent efforts of all involved in this substantial operation whose results have caused major disruption to the supply of dangerous drugs across South-East Queensland through the collapsing of a significant drug syndicate. There are many people before the courts that should they be found guilty are facing potentially lengthy jail terms, some in excess of 20-years. I encourage anyone with information in relation to illicit drugs in our community to contact police or Crime Stoppers. Together we can and do make a difference."
