Major crime bust in Wide Bay Burnett leads to 400+ arrests

Throughout the sweeping operation, police executed 74 search warrants, 91 hotspot patrols, and 44 bail/curfew compliance checks, arresting a total of 402 people.

More than 400 people were arrested on a total of 1359 charges through a multilevel crime crackdown across the Wide Bay Burnett from August 1-9.

Operation Whiskey Legion deployment came to an end on Friday.

Specialist police from Highway Patrol, Crime and Intelligence Command, Water Police, Dog Squad, Stock Squad and Crime Prevention joined forces with local police to saturate the area and target high-risk crime and offenders, netting large amounts of drugs, weapons and $300,000 in cash.

In a Queensland Police Service media release Detective A/Chief Superintendent Craig Morrow said the operation had been a success.

“Throughout the operation, police executed 74 search warrants, 91 hotspot patrols, and 44 bail/curfew compliance checks,” Supt Morrow said.

“There were 402 people arrested, 370 were adults and 32 were juveniles.

“The 1359 total charges include serious offences relating to domestic violence, drugs, firearms, and property and vehicle offences.”

North Coast Region Assistant Commissioner Glenn Morris said though enforcement was important, education was also a key aspect of the operation.

Wide Bay Burnett District Officer Superintendent Anne Vogler said the operation was well received.

“We have received very positive feedback from the community as the amount of extra police in the community was obvious,” she said.

“It was important to me that this deployment not only focused on the larger regional areas, but also the smaller rural communities too.

“This operation has seen a welcomed surge in our everyday policing, however the work doesn’t stop once the extra resources leave town.

“Our local officers look forward to continuing on this trajectory towards strengthened community safety.”

Since Operation Whiskey Legion began in April in Queensland, a total of 3177 people have been arrested on 8107 charges.

The operation will continue to be deployed in other regions across the state.