Western Downs, Burnett police operation cracks down on drugs, illegal weapons

A massive police operation targeting rural thefts, unlawful firearms and drugs has charged 16 people across the South Burnett and Western Downs with 178 offences.

A massive police operation targeting rural thefts, unlawful firearms and drugs has charged 16 people across the South Burnett and Western Downs with 178 offences.

Operation Victor Distinct, initiated by the State Drug Squad in collaboration with the Kingaroy and Toowoomba Rural and Stock Crime Squads and the Kingaroy and Dalby Criminal Investigation Branches, has been ongoing since January 2023.

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In a series of coordinated actions carried out between May 12-15, detectives conducted three search warrants in Dalby and Chinchilla, two in Miles and one in Tara.

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Police said the operation yielded remarkable results, with the seizure of 14 unlawful firearms.

Of the firearms seized, 11 were allegedly stolen from rural properties and were discovered in a stolen vehicle recovered in Kogan on April 30.

During a separate incident on April 22 in Dalby, authorities seized half a kilo of methylamphetamine.

A 33-year-old man from Mount McEuen was taken into custody on April 30, in Chinchilla on 99 charges, break and enter, car theft, unlawful possession of firearms, enter dwelling, stealing, evading police, fraud, arson of a vehicle, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and possession of a shortened firearm.

Two of the men's cases will be heard at Dalby Magistrates Court.

He has been remanded in custody to face Toowoomba Magistrates Court on June 5.

Another arrest made during the operation was that of a 27-year-old Chinchilla man on 37 charges, including supplying dangerous drugs, break and enter, car theft, and various other offences.

He has been remanded in custody to the Dalby Magistrates Court on June 6.

A 53-year-old Miles man was taken into custody on May 13 in Chinchilla, on 12 charges of supplying dangerous drugs and one of trafficking methylamphetamine.

The man has remanded in custody to the Chinchilla Magistrates Court on June 22.

A 28-year-old man was arrested in Dalby on April 22.

An extensive police operation targeting rural thefts, unlawful firearms, and drugs has successfully charged 16 people in the South Burnett and Western Downs with a staggering 178 charges.

He has been charged with trafficking methylamphetamine and possessing a schedule 1 drug exceeding the allowed amount specified in schedule 3.

He is scheduled to appear before the Dalby Magistrates Court on June 6.

A Queensland Police statement said 12 more individuals had been charged with offences related to the supply and possession of dangerous drugs, as well as the unlawful supply of weapons.

They are set to appear before the Chinchilla Magistrates Court on June 22.

Drug and Serious Crime Group, State Drug Squad Detective Inspector Bradley Phelps said the operation highlighted Queensland Police Service’s commitment to remove unlawful weapons and dangerous drugs from our streets.

“We have seen time and time again the risk of firearms in the wrong hands, disrupting this alleged criminal activity is a priority in order to keep our communities safe,” Detective Inspector Phelps said.

“If you know something in relation to this sort of criminal activity, it is vital information is provided to police, so we can investigate and put offenders before the court,” he said.

Operation Victor Distinct continues as an ongoing operation, with the police urging anyone with information concerning unlawful firearms, weapons, or drugs to come forward.