19 charged with 271 offences over alleged QLD drug trafficking syndicate

Queensland police have charged 19 people with more than 271 offences over an alleged statewide drug trafficking syndicate. See the moment they pounced.

A 12-month operation by Queensland police into an alleged statewide drug trafficking ring with tentacles on the Gold Coast has resulted in the arrest of 19 people on 271 charges.

Operation Whiskey Decker was launched by the Mount Isa Tactical Crime Squad (TCS) in June last year to investigate an alleged methylamphetamine trafficking syndicate operating in Northwest Queensland.

Last month it culminated in the execution of multiple search warrants at properties in Mount Isa, Mackay, Ipswich, Logan and the Gold Coast.

Police allege they seized $110,000 in cash, 35 grams of cocaine and more than 270 grams of methylamphetamines. According to the latest data from the Queensland Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS), the combined street value of haul is at least $64,000.

Some of the alleged haul uncovered by Queensland police.

Mount Isa District Tactical Crime Squad Officer in Charge Sergeant Nate Carlton said significant resources had gone into the investigation including assistance from the Northern Major and Organised Crime Squad (MOCS), Mackay Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) and TCS, Gold Coast MOCS, State Flying Squad, and Townsville Dog Squad.

“Drugs cause considerable harm and misery in families and the wider community,” Sergeant Carlton said.
“We are committed to disrupting the trafficking and supply of drugs and ask the public to continue assisting us by providing any information.

“Police fully utilise and investigate all information provided by members of the public to prevent, deter, disrupt and intercept illicit drug production.”

FULL CHARGES

MOUNT ISA

• A 42-year-old woman was charged with eight counts of supplying dangerous drugs, two counts of possessing things used in commission of a crime and one count of trafficking dangerous drugs (methylamphetamine).
• A 38-year-old woman was charged with six counts of supplying dangerous drugs and one count of trafficking dangerous drugs (methylamphetamine).
• A 35-year-old woman was charged with eight counts of supplying dangerous drugs, three counts of possessing things used in commission of a crime and one count of trafficking dangerous drugs (methylamphetamine).
• A 39-year-old man was charged with 17 counts of supplying dangerous drugs and one count each of trafficking dangerous drugs (methylamphetamine) and possessing things used in commission of a crime.
• A 25-year-old man was charged with eight counts of supplying dangerous drugs, three counts of possessing thing used in commission of a crime and one count of trafficking dangerous drugs (methylamphetamine).
• A 31-year-old man was charged with one count each of trafficking dangerous drugs (methylamphetamine), possessing thing used in commission of a crime and possessing drug utensils.
• A 35-year-old man was charged with four counts of supplying dangerous drugs and two counts each of trafficking dangerous drugs (methylamphetamine and MDMA) and contravention of domestic violence order.
• A 39-year-old man was charged with 13 counts of supplying dangerous drugs, two counts of possessing dangerous drugs (methylamphetamine and cannabis) and one count each of possessing thing used in commission of a crime, possessing property suspected of being acquired from supply, possessing drug utensils and unlawful possession of Category M Weapon.
  

MACKAY

• A 31-year-old East Mackay man was charged with 23 offences including six counts of trafficking dangerous drugs (methylamphetamine, MDMA, cannabis, heroin and cocaine), two counts of supplying a drug to a minor, and one count each of money laundering and attempting to procure the commission of a criminal act.
• A 39-year-old East Mackay woman was charged with 14 offences including two counts of trafficking dangerous drugs, and one count each of money laundering and attempting to procure a criminal act.
• A 47-year-old South Mackay man was charged with 16 offences including trafficking in dangerous drugs, supplying dangerous drugs and attempting to procure a criminal act.

IPSWICH

• A 30-year-old Ipswich woman was charged with 51 offences.
• A 40-year-old Ipswich woman was charged with 42 offences.

GOLD COAST & LOGAN

• A 35-year-old Varsity Lakes man was charged with nine offences including four counts of drug trafficking (cocaine, methylamphetamine, MDMA and cannabis), three counts of arson and one count of supplying a firearm.
• A 32-year-old Varsity Lakes man was charged with two counts of possessing dangerous drugs (exceed schedule) (methylamphetamine and cocaine) and one count each of possessing Category M weapon, possessing drug utensils, possessing proceeds of an offence under DMA, possessing things used in commission of a crime and contravene access order.
• A 32-year-old Varsity Lakes man was charged with three counts of possessing dangerous drugs (cocaine, cannabis and MDMA).
• A 33-year-old Logan man was charged with four counts of supplying dangerous drugs.

Originally published as 19 charged with 271 offences over alleged QLD drug trafficking syndicate