Cash, drugs allegedly seized in trafficking syndicate raids on the Gold Coast
Raids on the Gold Coast in recent days have resulted in the alleged seizure of $100,000 cash, more than 1.2kg of meth, a variety of firearms and gun parts, and other contraband. One of the men charged is formerly accused of being a bikie.
A one-time alleged Gold Coast bikie has been remanded in custody after he was allegedly found in possession of a swag of contraband, including a large quantity of methamphetamine, a pump-action rifle, and a variety of weapon parts.
Oxenford man Saleh Atasoy, 39, who has been previously suspected by police of involvement with the Lone Wolf outlaw motorcycle gang, had 20 charges mentioned in Southport Magistrates Court on November 25, the day after his arrest.
His charges include, most seriously, one count of possessing a schedule 1 dangerous drug in excess of 2g, one count of possessing a schedule 1 dangerous drug in excess of 200g, six counts of possessing weapons, three counts of possessing detachable magazines without a licence, and failing to provide police with pin codes to his devices in contravention of a warrant.
Other charges include receiving tainted property, obstructing a police officer, two counts of possessing dangerous drugs, and possessing ammunition without authority.
Mr Atasoy, who was previously known as Salih Gaziler up until 2010, made no appearance, nor did he apply for bail.
No details of the alleged offending were read onto the public record, and Mr Atasoy has not entered any pleas.
Defence lawyer Ivan Sayad, partner at local firm SANS Law, told the court his client had been remanded in custody by police.
He requested an adjournment to allow for a brief of evidence to be ordered.
Mr Atasoy’s charges were adjourned to December 16.
Court documents shed additional light on the allegations faced by Mr Atasoy.
Mr Atasoy was arrested on November 24 following a raid by the Major and Organised Crime Squad’s Organised Crime Gangs Group at an address at San Fernando Dr, Worongary.
The raid allegedly uncovered more than 200g of methamphetamine; smaller quantities of buprenorphine and somatotropin (a human growth hormone); mobile phones, digital scales, faraday bags used to protect devices from being accessed remotely, a money counter, vacuum sealer, and Australian currency all allegedly connected to the commission of drug offences.
Weapons and parts allegedly found in Mr Atasoy’s possession include category R silencers; a category B Remington 7615 pump-action rifle; a category C barrel for a Ruger 10/22 semiautomatic rifle; a category H barrel for a High Standard pistol; a category E ballistic vest and plates; a category M pair of knuckledusters; and ammunition.
A 2022 RAM 1500 dual-cab utility suspected of being tainted property was also seized by police.
In a statement, Queensland Police Service said Mr Atasoy was one of four people arrested in recent days as part of Operation Xray Tough, an operation “investigating drug trafficking syndicates on the Gold Coast”.
“Search warrants were executed on November 23 and 24 at residential addresses in Parkwood, Oxenford, Varsity Lakes and Worongary, as well as five associated vehicles,” the statement read.
“During the searches police located and seized $100,000 cash, over 1.2kg of methamphetamine, and amounts of other drugs including cocaine, cannabis, strips of suboxone concealed inside balloons, multiple firearms, weapons, ballistic vest and plates and a signal-jamming device.
“Police also located a Dodge RAM, believed to be stolen, and seized a Mercedes GLC63.”
In addition to Mr Atasoy, a 34-year-old Oxenford man was charged with offences including possessing category C/E weapons, possessing meth in excess of 200g, possessing smaller quantities of cocaine and cannabis, and failing to provide police with pin codes to his devices in contravention of a warrant.
Two other men, a 36-year-old and a 34-year-old, were charged with minor offences.
They were all also expected to face Southport Magistrates Court on November 25.
None of the men charged have entered pleas.
Queensland Police described Operation Xray Tough as a “protracted investigation” that had, prior to this week, already resulted in 11 people being charged with 55 offences since its commencement.
Detective Acting Inspector Adrian Sala from the Organised Crime Gangs Group, speaking generally, said the possession of firearms and drugs is a dangerous combination that presents significant risk to police, the community and the people involved.
“Our dedicated officers work hard to ensure serious offenders, who cause great harm to Queensland communities, are held accountable for their actions,” Detective Acting Inspector Sala said.
“We will continue to direct our specialist resources and capabilities to detect and disrupt serious criminal activity to keep the community safe from harm.”
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Originally published as Cash, drugs allegedly seized in trafficking syndicate raids on the Gold Coast
