Mackay detectives bust open meth network, seize $625k in drugs and weapons

Four people arrested in a police operation that busted open an alleged major drug network spanning Mackay to Brisbane can be named. WATCH THE VIDEO

An alleged ringleader in a drug ring stretching from Mackay to Brisbane has been remanded in custody as detectives dismantled a major network seizing $625,000 in meth, cocaine, marijuana and cash.

Luke Daniel Mckenzie is one of 52 people arrested on 239 charges after up to 16 homes in Mackay were raided as part of a joint effort targeting meth, MDMA and marijuana trafficking across the district.

Police will allege Mr Mckenzie, 39, is one of the main players of a meth network, which sourced drugs from Brisbane to sell across the region.

Police alleged Luke Daniel Mckenzie was a major player in a Mackay drug supply indicate. Picture: Queensland Police Service

He is charged with supplying meth, possessing tainted property and contravening an order to access information stored electronically.

He did not apply for bail when his case was mentioned last week and was remanded in custody. Matters were adjourned to later this month.

Dwayne Marcus Beveridge is charged with producing marijuana and aggravated drug possession after police raided a Habana property on August 10.

Officers will allege they found five drug plants and equipment for drug production.

Mr Beveridge, 32, is also charged with possession cocaine, contravening an order to access information stored electronically and other drug-related offences.

He was granted bail and must abide by no-contact orders.

A 30-year-old woman was also charged with offences including producing and possessing dangerous drugs after the raid at Habana and will appear in court later this month.

Damien James Tonga is charged with trafficking and supplying methylamphetamines between February and August 2022 and other drug-related offences.

The 39 year old was granted bail but had to surrender his passport, cannot approach any international departure point and must comply with reporting, residential and no contact orders. Matters were adjourned to later this month for committal mention.

Olivia Jane Kilsby, 39, is charged with five counts of supplying dangerous drugs including meth, contravening an order to access information stored electronically and other drug-related offences.

She was granted bail on reporting, residential and no contact orders. Matters were adjourned to later this month.

The youngest of the 52 was aged in their 20s with most ages in their 30s and 40s.

Police will allege the drugs were sourced from Brisbane and the southeast corner and brought to Mackay where “a criminal network distributed those drugs” throughout the region and Whitsundays.

“We believe that the network has been completely dismantled, particularly the main syndicate members of that particular organisation,” Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Eaton said.

Officers allege they seized $425,000 worth of drugs, $200,000 in cash and multiple weapons. Picture: Queensland Police Service

Officers seized multiple weapons including handguns, rifles and shotguns, $425,000 worth of meth, cocaine, MDMA, steroids and marijuana and $200,000 in cash.

Police allege the drugs totalled 150g of meth, two kg of marijuana, 83 marijuana plants, 13g of cocaine and quantities of LSD, MDMA and steroids.

“While we seized a significant amount we also will allege these persons have been trafficking and supplying a lot more than was seized,” the Mackay Criminal Investigation Branch officer in charge said.

Following raids on up to 16 homes across Mackay including at a Habana address police seized 2kg of marijuana, 83 marijuana plants, 150g of meth and 13g of cocaine. Picture: Queensland Police Service

Senior Sergeant Eaton was tight-lipped about where the drugs had been produced but said “generally the drugs that come into this country and methylamphetamine, come in from overseas”.

“A lot of the drugs that were brought into Mackay were for the market here, but as always those drugs … get sold to further communities down the track,” he said.

He said the seizure of multiple weapons was significant.

Operation Tango Muscatel targeted a trafficking and supply syndicate stretching to Brisbane. Picture: Queensland Police Service

“Any person in possession of illegal firearms, particularly those alleged to have been involved in drug crime is always important for us,” he said.

“It’s not just the drugs. We know that drugs are often the root cause behind our armed robberies, home invasions and even all the way down to break and enters.

“It’s not just the drug network that we’re targeting, it also has a flow-on effect into serious violent crime into property crime.”

Operation Tango Muscatel – which involved Mackay police, specialist investigators and Australian Border Force officers – ran from November 2021 until August 2022.

Detective Senior Sergeant Eaton said police identified an alleged drug trafficking and supply syndicate stretching from Mackay to Brisbane.

The raids from the Mackay Tactical Operations Team occurred across Mackay on August 8, 9 and 10 following the protracted investigation.

“Like always there’s not only just one particular tier to a drug syndicate, there are multiple players and multiple people ranging from high level dealers all the way down to street level dealers,” Senior Sergeant Eaton said.

“Operation Tango Muscatel re-enforces that Queensland police will continue to target people involved in the distribution of dangerous drugs, particularly those in organised criminal networks.

“If you are criminally minded and you want to step into that space then we will target you and we will throw our resources at you … and come after your drugs and your proceeds.”