Emily Urquhart, 27 and Ponireay Touch, 31 arrested as part of drug trafficking operation Sierra Emperor
An alleged multimillion-dollar Queensland drug organisation has come crumbling down, as police uncovered almost half a kilo in cocaine and $100k in cash and the heads of the syndicate faced court.
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An alleged multimillion-dollar Queensland drug organisation has come crumbling down, as police uncovered almost half a kilo in cocaine and $100k in cash and the heads of the syndicate faced court.
Emily Urquhart, 27 and Ponireay Touch, 31 faced Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Thursday, November 16 charged with trafficking dangerous drugs for serious organised crime.
The pair was arrested as part of major Queensland Police organised crime operation Sierra Emperor, a drug trafficking haul which allegedly uncovered millions in cash and almost a kilo of cocaine.
The 2021 sting was carried out in the Sunshine Coast where seven people were arrested and 160 grams of cocaine was found.
Waterford man Mr Touch and Edens Landing woman Ms Urquhart had their matters committed to the Brisbane Supreme Court for trail and police allege they were figures in a major organised crime ring.
The court heard Mr Touch and Ms Urquhart allegedly used encrypted messaging apps Signal and Threema to organise drug deals where millions of dollars of profit was made.
A money counter was found by police which was allegedly bought by Ms Urquhart and $100,000 in cash was seized in a storage container.
Cocaine and methamphetamine was found by police in Waterford and Logan Village in 2022 which allegedly was linked back to the pair.
The court heard online aliases of “ninja warrior”, “foolish pagan” and “snow white” were used by Mr Touch and Ms Urquuhart to discuss and organise drug deals.
The pair were represented by defence lawyer Ron Behlau who cross examined an arresting officer in court.
Magistrate Patrina Clohessy committed the charges to the Supreme Court, to be listed for a trial at a later date.
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