Police seize 766kg of MDMA in international drug operation in southeast Qld
In one of the biggest drug bust hauls ever in Australia, Queensland police have seized 766kg of MDMA with a street value of $90 million as part of a large-scale operation targeting an international organised crime syndicate.
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POLICE have seized 766kg of MDMA in a large targeted drug operation in southeast Queensland – the biggest haul of the drug in Queensland’s history and the third largest in the country.
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The investigation, which involved both Queensland and overseas jurisdictions, targeted an international organised crime syndicate linked to the distribution of large quantities of high-purity drugs.
Detective Superintendent Jon Wacker confirmed it was an international organised crime syndicate.
He said police had seized 766kg of MDMA. There was also 200kg of methampetamine, or ice, seized in Auckland in New Zealand last week.
Police also seized $108,000 in cash and vehicles.
The drugs seized have a potential street value of $90 million, police said.
Two United Kingdom citizens, a 51-year-old man and a 40-year-old man have been charged with drug possession and supply.
A 26-year-old Loganlea man has been charged with possession and supply and being a participant in a criminal organisation under the Queensland Serious and Organised Crime legislation.
“The MDMA powder is the highest purity recorded by Queensland Health analysts,” Supt Wacker said.
“Police believe the powder was destined for production into pill and capsules to be sold across Australia.
“We believe the drug would have been diluted with other agents. And Queensland Health analysts advise the seizure had the potential to make between six to 12 million capsules.
“This has a substantial street value,” he said.
New Zealand Police also charged a 60-year-old man and a 49-year-old man, both UK citizens, in relation to the meth seizure.
The Loganlea man appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court this morning. He has been remanded in custody to appear on September 16.
The two UK citizens have been remanded in custody to appear on August 26.
Supt Wacker said the MDMA was seized in one location.
He said there was no indication of outlaw motorcycle gangs being involved and it was an international crime syndicate.
Two properties were raided in Loganlea yesterday and three were raided in Lennox Heads and Ballina in northern NSW.
A 51-year-old woman in New South Wales was also charged in relation to cash found.
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