Keith Norman Middleton: Four person charged as part of Operation Konopie

A fourth member of an alleged Burnett drug syndicate has been charged over the massive drug bust, which has so far seen 57 people charged with more than 400 alleged drug and weapons offences.

Another member of an alleged Burnett drug syndicate has been charged as part of a major police investigation into drug trade in the region.

Keith Norman Middleton has been charged with trafficking and 101 counts of supplying dangerous drugs.

Middleton, 23, is currently in custody on remand for unrelated charges and will appear in court again for those on January 24.

The new charges were mentioned briefly in Murgon Magistrates Court on Tuesday December 14, and adjourned to February 15.

Operation Konopie, a five-month operation, targeted drug supply across Murgon, Cherbourg, Nanango, Kingaroy, Gayndah, and Mundubbera.

Murgon detectives charged a total of 57 people with 404 charges and seized firearms and drugs following the closure of the operation targeting the supply of methylamphetamine in the Burnett.

Three other alleged key members of the syndicate have already faced court.

Shane David Richards, 50, was arrested on November 18 when police swooped on a Tarong property where allegedly they seized drugs including methamphetamines, two firearms and two replica guns, ammunition, and cash.

Richards was charged with 62 offences including 50 counts of supplying dangerous drugs, and one count of trafficking dangerous drugs and receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking or supplying, and other related offences.

Magistrate Andrew Sinclair denied Richards’ application for bail and remanded him in custody until February 15.

Richards’ arrest came just weeks after two Mundubbera women were charged with more than 140 charges of supplying drugs between them.

Mele Lineti Sanipepa Cross and Kirsty Evelyn Mcleish were both charged earlier this month and are on bail awaiting their next hearings at Maryborough Magistrates Court on January 24.