Kim White, Marshall White arrested in major Sunshine Coast drug operation

Staff at an auto repair shop police say played a key role in allowing a father and son to allegedly kickstart their own drug trafficking business have responded to the accusations. See the video.

Kim White is the owner of Honest Auto Repairs.

Staff at an auto repair shop police say played a key role in allowing a father and son to allegedly kickstart their own drug trafficking business have responded to the accusations.

The economic shortcomings of Honest Auto Repairs at Currimundi and the alleged drug business of Kim Andrew White, 48, and his son Marshall Andrew White, 20, were revealed in bail objection documents tendered in Maroochydore Magistrates Court this week following the conclusion of Operation Victor Ignite.

The investigation by the Sunshine Coast Drug and Serious Crime Taskforce, the Crime and Intelligence Command and Taskforce Maxima came to a head last week resulting in 40 people being charged with more than 190 offences.

This publication visited the business this week where staff said they were aware of the drug charges laid against their boss, but said “f--k off” in response to further questioning.

It is not alleged any staff were involved in wrongdoing.

Police allege the son was one of the “primary targets” of the investigation, as he allegedly worked with his dad in a drug trafficking operation, according to a police prosecutor during Marshall White’s bail application on Monday.

Court documents state the pair came under the microscope of police after investigators were granted a wire tap on Marshall White’s phone on October 19, 2023 before a further warrant was allowed for Kim White’s mobile on December 5, 2023.

What police allegedly uncovered was a father and son team conducting a drug supply operation, where the 20-year-old allegedly sold commercial amounts of cocaine and marijuana, court documents state.

Police allege Marshall White had in excess of 20 regular customers who would buy cocaine from him, ranging from 3.5g or “eight ball” amounts up to multiple ounces at a time.

As detectives delved deeper however into Kim White, they allegedly found what they believed was the catalyst for their suspected foray into the drug trade.

Kim White was the owner of the Currimundi mechanic business. Picture: Facebook

Court documents state the 48-year-old father was the owner of Honest Auto Repairs at Currimundi, which employed two people.

Police allege in bail objection documents the business was not profitable, where the Meridan Plains man outlined to several people how the business was “performing badly” and contemplated closing the business.

Detectives claim Kim White returned to work as a mechanic after sacking one of his staff and the unavailability of another.

“Analysis of the lawfully intercepted information identified Kim White is (allegedly) laundering drug money through the business,” police allege in court documents.

“[Marshall White] is not employed and (allegedly) receives money through his father’s business which is not profitable and being topped up with profits from drug trafficking.”

Police allege Marshall White was employed by the business but never worked a day. Picture: Instagram

During the course of the investigation, police allege Kim White paid his son $1000 a week in wages through the mechanic business, however the 20-year-old did not work there, nor anywhere else.

Court documents stated through their wire taps police will allege Marshall White financed his living expenses and “lavish lifestyle” through profits made by their drug dealing business.

The pair allegedly used encrypted applications such as Signal, Threema, Snapchat, Graphene and WhatsApp to conduct their business.

Kim White told others his business was failing.

Police will allege analysis of wire taps revealed both Marshall and Kim White would conduct drug deliveries and collect “coin” or drug repayments from customers who were supplied narcotics on credit.

Following months of investigation police raided the family home at Meridan Plains about 5.30am on May 21 where police allegedly uncovered drugs, cash, firearms, a gaming machine and electronic devices.

Court documents state a 2015 black Mercedes Benz C63 AMG with licence plates “YRU WET”, registered to Marshall White, was seized where police allege it was obtained with money from trafficking drugs.

Marshall White's car.

The 20-year-old was charged with 14 offences including four counts of possessing dangerous drugs, two of trafficking dangerous drugs and receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking or supplying, and one count each of possessing anything used in the commission of crime and unlawful possession of weapons.

His 48-year-old dad was charged with 12 offences including three counts of possessing dangerous drugs, two of trafficking in dangerous drugs and one count each of receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking or supplying and unlawful possession of weapons.

Marshall White was granted bail in court after his arrest while Kim White was remanded in custody. Both will be mentioned in court on August 2.

No pleas have been entered.