Operation Uniform Rigel: $2m of drugs seized in Rockhampton police investigation

An eight-month long operation has produced a whopping stack of charges, including one man racking up 78 counts of supplying dangerous drugs. WATCH THE POLICE RAID.

A police operation targeting dangerous drugs in the Rockhampton region has closed this week, seizing $2 million of drugs and resulting in 144 drug-related and trafficking charges.

Almost 3kg of methylamphetamine and 2.5 litres of GBH (gamma hydroxybutyric acid) was found during search warrants at addresses in Rockhampton, Yeppoon and Emu Park.

Detectives from the Rockhampton Criminal Investigation Branch and Drug Investigation Unit rolled out Operation Uniform Rigel from August last year.

Capricorn Crime Group Detective Acting Inspector Luke Peachey said it was a “protracted investigation into the traffic of dangerous drugs.”

During the operation, police also seized a motorbike and an ATV believed to have been stolen from a property near Duaringa.

Police body-worn footage of home raids show a motorbike in a bedroom along with piles of cash and clip seal bags of white products, with officers prying open doors and interviewing persons.

People being interviewed by police as part of Operation Uniform Rigel.

Detective Peachey said the operation had really good results with the seized drugs worth in excess of $2 million in street value.

“We believe we have made a considerable dint in the drug trade in Rockhampton and surrounds,” he said.

“We’ve now cracked a fairly good syndicate within this area and we hope there is a good flow on effect.

“It’s a testament to the hard work these investigators do throughout the operation.”

It is not believed the drugs are being manufactured in Rockhampton.

“The drugs aren’t being made in Central Queensland, we know that … they are being transported,” Detective Peachey said.

The operation targeted “higher range” drug traffickers and police used “covert and overt strategies”.

“We don’t want the bottom feeders, we want those people up there who are supplying and are carrying on the business and making a living out of supplying drugs and bringing misery to the families who are affected by these drugs,” he said.

Footage from the body worn footage of Operation Uniform Rigel of sums of cash and clip seal bags of white substances.

As a result of the operation, the four following persons were charged and are due to appear before Rockhampton Magistrates Court over the next two months.

A 34-year-old Frenchville man was charged with trafficking, 78 counts of supplying dangerous drugs, three counts of possession of dangerous drugs and two counts of being in possession of property suspected of being from proceeds of crime.

A 27-year-old Rural View (Mackay) man was charged trafficking, two counts of possessing dangerous drugs and 20 counts of supplying dangerous drugs.

A 37-year-old Zilzie man (Yeppoon) was charged with trafficking and supplying dangerous drugs.

A 29-year-old Yeppoon woman charged with trafficking, supplying dangerous drugs and possessing dangerous drugs.

As one operation closes, another will begin, Detective Peachey said.

“It’s pleasing to know that $2 million of drugs are off the streets that could have been in the hands of young people,” he said.

“This closes a chapter for this operation and these investigators will now look at a different operation and syndicate.

“While the criminals evolve, we evolve with them.

“If you're doing the wrong thing, rest assured we will catch up with you.”