South Burnett police operation charges ‘long time’ drug dealer

A 41-year-old South Burnett man, who police allege is a “long time” Queensland drug dealer and trafficker, has been hit with 29 charges following an eight-month long operation.

Detectives from Murgon have charged who they allege is a “long time” drug dealer following intensive eight-month investigation Operation Victor Duty in the South Burnett.

According to Queensland Police Service, the 41-year-old Nanango man has been charged with 29 offences including 16 counts of supplying dangerous drugs, two counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs and three of possessing dangerous drugs above schedule limits.

Police allege the man had been operating a drug business, “generating income by supplying dangerous drugs to the people of the South Burnett”.

The man was charged after police stopped and searched his vehicle on the Bunya Highway on Tuesday, September 19, where they allegedly found “$14,000 in cash and 5.8 grams of methylamphetamine (ice).”

After executing a search warrant on the man’s home they allegedly found a further “22 grams of ice, 2.45 kilograms of cannabis, one gram of heroin, ammunition, drug utensils and a further $6,250 in cash.

South Burnett police searched the vehicle of the 41-year-old Nanango man as part of Operation Victor Duty.

Officer in Charge of the Murgon Criminal Investigation Branch Detective Sergeant Martin Hunter said the investigation was the result of dedication from the South Burnett officers.

“Our eight-month investigation resulted in identifying (an alleged) drug syndicate operating in the South Burnett,” he said.

“We allege the man we’ve arrested was a significant player in this syndicate and responsible for the distribution of dangerous drugs in our community.”

South Burnett police found large stores of cash as part of Operation Victor Duty.

Officer in Charge of Nanango Police Sergeant Luke Jackson said the arrest was part of a South Burnett initiative to target, disrupt and prevent serious and organised crime.

“Drugs like ice [methylamphetamine] have a devastating impact on individuals and families in our towns and we will continue to work hard to detect, disrupt and deter drug crime,” he said.

The 41-year-old has been remanded in custody and will appear in the Kingaroy Magistrates Court on December 14, 2023.

Operation Victor Duty remains ongoing and police urge anyone with information to come forward.