Schoolies 2016: Drug bust puts ‘significant hole in distribution’, police say
POLICE believe they have made a significant dint in the supply of illicit drugs to the Gold Coast just one week out from the start of Schoolies.
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POLICE believe they have made a significant dint in the supply of illicit drugs to the Gold Coast just one week out from the start of Schoolies.
As part of a 12-month investigation that targeted drug supply and identity theft, officers from Taskforce Maxima arrested 16 people charged with 232 offences on Wednesday.
Police seized cannabis, MDMA, meth, steroids, cash, guns, ammunition and stolen goods – including 20 mobile phones, four laptops, five stolen passports, a motorcycle engine, credit cards and a camera – that have all been linked to burglaries on the Gold Coast.
“These guys are predators, they aim to entice people, there’s alcohol involved so their (Schoolies) judgment is waned – it’s very important that we continue to disrupt the sale and distribution of drugs, particularly on the Gold Coast. For Maxima it’s a big part of our job,” Detective Inspector Phillip Stevens said.
“This has put a significant hole in distribution. Any action has an impact on distribution, so people that weren’t subject to what we did yesterday will be affected because they don’t know who we are, what we are concentrating on and who is next.”
Det Insp Stevens said the Gold Coast remained a hotspot for illicit drug production and distribution – a disturbing trend with Schoolies due to start next Saturday.
“I’ve been in the job a long time and I’ve had a lot of focus on the Gold Coast,” he said.
“It’s just the Gold Coast. I haven’t seen an increase or a decrease (in drug activity) – it is just business as usual.”
A 25-year-old man has been charged with 109 of the 232 offences, including several trafficking and supply of dangerous drugs offences, identity theft offences and passport thefts.
He appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court yesterday and was remanded in custody to reappear on December 5.
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