Crabber Levi Watson arrested during raids, allegedly found with 1.6kg of marijuana
An early morning search warrant has allegedly netted a Sunshine Coast crab boat owner who was found in possession of more than a kilo of drugs.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Sunshine Coast crabber has been arrested in a major drug raid where police allegedly discovered 1.6kg of marijuana.
Levi Jason Robert Watson was arrested during a dawn raid on a Mountain Creek home on Tuesday morning, leading to a comprehensive amount of drugs being allegedly uncovered in “sophisticated” cryovac sealed bags.
The alleged circumstances of the Kuluin man’s charges of possessing dangerous drugs over the schedule and contravening an order to access his phone were detailed in court documents tendered in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Police allegations state the Sunshine Coast District Child Protection and Investigation Unit were given an investigation package from the Sunshine Coast District Drug Enforcement Team.
Court documents state this related to Operation Victor Ignite which was targeting the supply of dangerous drugs across the region.
Detectives raided the Mountain Creek home about 5.20am on Tuesday and located three other residents at the home as well as Watson.
During a search of a Toyota Corolla parked in a garage, police allege a Woolworths shopping bag with three cryovac sealed bags containing marijuana was found on the back seat.
All three bags allegedly had black writing with A/L and A/K in the top corner, police allege.
The total weight of the packages was allegedly 1.656kg.
Police allegedly showed the packages to the Kuluin man who said he collected the bag the night before from his boat and placed it in his car.
Court documents recounted that Watson allegedly collected the bag alone and left it in the car and said the other residents did not have any knowledge of the bag or its contents.
Watson allegedly told police he “accidentally” picked up the wrong bag from a boat, and said none of the other occupants had access to the car.
Police allege after he spoke with detectives he failed to provide the PIN code to his phone and stated couldn’t recall what it was because it was recently changed.
Detectives say in court documents that mobile phones can use encrypted messaging applications such as WhatsApp, Signal, Messenger and Wickr. Investigators said alleged offenders used these services to “co-ordinate drug supply and payment”.
Police allege Watson’s avoidance to provide the access code for his phone was to prevent police from gaining access to identify “further evidence of drug distribution”.
During his bail application on Wednesday, police prosecutor Stu Lydford said Watson had been “tied up” in a number of search warrants but alleged the 29-year-old was “not in the top end”.
Defence lawyer Chelsea Emery said it had been a “sobering experience” for Watson in the watch house overnight, who hoped to be granted bail to look after his spanner crab boat business which employed three people.
Acting magistrate Anna Smith said there was allegedly a “fair amount” of drugs found but said there could be court delays for a man with little criminal history.
Watson was granted bail and had his matters adjourned to July 5.
‘Low flying missile’: Rider clocked at 121km/h in 60 zone
A motorcycle rider has been clocked at more than 120km/h along one of the busiest tourist strips on the Sunshine Coast. SEE THE VIDEO
‘Chop her fingers off’: Man allegedly offered $500 for attack on ex
A Sunshine Coast man has racked up dozens of domestic violence charges for stalking, strangling and attacking his former partner during an alleged reign of terror.