Moranbah drug bust: 20 arrests and 117 charges in Operation Tango Gismo
Three more people charged over a police sting targeting drug trafficking in Moranbah can be identified. The trio is among 20 people charged with a combined 117 offences.
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Three more people charged over a police sting targeting drug trafficking in Moranbah can be identified.
Hollie Maree Eggleston-Burton is facing six offences including aggravated meth possession and supplying dangerous drugs.
The 37 year old was granted police watch house bail at the time of her arrest to appear in Moranbah Magistrates Court on December 9.
The Moranbah woman is also charged with two counts of possessing dangerous drugs and one count each of possessing used drug utensils and possessing property suspected of having been used in connection with a drug offence.
The court heard the aggravated drug possession charge will have to be committed to the supreme court.
The police brief of evidence in relation to the case against Ms Eggleston-Burton was ordered and due by late January. Her case will be mentioned again in February.
Leah Elizabeth Stringer, from Moranbah, is charged with possessing dangerous drugs as part of Operation Tango Gismo.
Her case was also adjourned until February for mention.
Joanne May Eckert is charged with eight offences as part of the police raids across Central Queensland.
She is charged with three counts of supplying dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs and used drug utensils and two counts of possessing property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence.
Her case was listed for mention on December 9 but she did not appear and it was moved to December 10.
Moranbah diesel mechanic Jay William Politanski is one of 20 people arrested and charged as part of a sweeping police operation across the Central Highlands as detectives targeted meth and marijuana trafficking and supply from February 2021.
The 34-year-old father was one of eight people arrested in Moranbah. He was charged with multiple offences including trafficking and supplying dangerous drugs, aggravated possession for about 34 grams of meth and possessing cash suspected of being drug proceeds.
Police allege Moranbah business owner Jodi Kym Edwards, who was also arrested as part of Operation Tango Gismo, was a main drug supplier in the town.
The 33 year old is facing 20 charges including aggravated supply of dangerous drugs to a minor, two counts of trafficking in meth and marijuana, 12 counts of supplying a dangerous drug and possessing cash suspected of being drug proceeds.
It is alleged Mr Politanski and Ms Edwards had about $3000 between then.
Mr Politanski was granted bail on Tuesday on the condition that he live in Townsville, report twice a week to police, surrender his passport and have no contact with any co-accused.
Ms Edwards and Mollie May Carter, 19, and who was charged with trafficking meth and supplying meth and marijuana, both applied for and were granted bail on Tuesday.
Gabrielle Eden Lee, 23, is charged with supplying and possessing dangerous drugs, refusing to give police access to information stored electronically and seriously assaulting police by spitting.
She did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody.
All matters have been adjourned to various dates later this year.
Operation Tango Gismo targeted methylamphetamine and marijuana trafficking and supply throughout the Central Highlands district in Central Queensland from February 2021.
Detective Senior Constable Edward Rogers said he wanted to thank the community for providing police with information during investigations.
Police allegedly seized methylamphetime, marijuana and two firearms as part of the operation.
Detective Senior Constable Rogers said without the help of the local community providing information to police, people’s lives would have been ruined.
The alleged offenders will appear in Moranbah Magistrates Court at various times, with charges including trafficking in dangerous drugs, supplying dangerous drugs and possessing quantities of drugs which exceed relevant drug schedules.
Search warrants were carried out with the help of Moranbah, Clermont and Nebo police, Mackay Tactical Crime Squad, specialist drug detection dogs and officers from other agencies resulting in the seizure of evidence and the arrest of a number of people.
Four people will appear in Moranbah Magistrates Court next month.
A 20-year-old woman from Moranbah was charged with trafficking in dangerous drugs, supplying dangerous drugs, possessing things, fail to take reasonable care and precautions in respect of syringe/needle, possess utensils and breach of bail condition.
A 39-year-old woman from Moranbah was charged with supplying dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs, possessing things and possess utensils.
A 30-year-old woman from Moranbah was charged with possessing dangerous drugs.
A 37-year-old woman from Moranbah was charged with supplying dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs exceeding schedule 3, but less than schedule 4, possessing dangerous drugs, possess utensils and possession property suspected of having been used in connection with a drug offence.
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