Farron Trevor Nash, Cairns, to face court as part of Operation Vitreus
One of the many players charged as part of a major police operation, which saw $13 million of drugs being seized and numerous Breaking Bad-style labs unveiled, has been named just days before he was set to face court.
North
Don't miss out on the headlines from North. Followed categories will be added to My News.
One of the many players charged as part of a major police operation, which saw $13 million of drugs being seized and numerous Breaking Bad-style labs unveiled, has been named just days before he was set to face court.
It comes as police reveal there has been an surge in detections of hidden drug laboratories in Queensland since borders reopened after the pandemic.
They recently charged 442 people on 981 offences across the state during Operation Vitreus, a week-long swoop on drugs.
Operation Vitreus was a national multi-jurisdiction co-ordinated operation, under the Serious Organised Crime Consultative Committee, which focused on disrupting and dismantling dangerous drug activity.
The week of action, running from September 11 to 15, aimed to disrupt organised crime groups and those engaged in the production, supply and trafficking of illicit drugs in co-ordinated proactive enforcement.
Police executed 94 search warrants across the state and seized 1.2kg of methylamphetamine,
2320 cannabis plants, 11.5kg of cannabis, 700g of MDMA, 6g of heroin, 77g of cocaine and
$134,380 in cash.
On September 12, detectives from the Far Northern Major and Organised Crime Squad executed a search warrant at a Mooroobool, Cairns apartment.
It will be alleged about 350g of methamphetamine was found.
Farron Trevor Nash, 27, was charged with possessing dangerous drugs (schedule 1 drug quantity exceeding schedule 4) and two counts of possessing dangerous drugs (cannabis and prescription medication).
He is expected to appear before Cairns Magistrates Court on September 28.
On September 12, Drug and Serious Crime Group detectives executed a search warrant at a rural property at Gunalda, north of Gympie.
Officers found six greenhouses, each 80m long and 10m wide, containing 2284 cannabis plants and more than 6.9kg of dried cannabis.
Sophisticated hydroponic equipment and drug utensils were found.
The total value of the drugs and items seized was estimated at $11.5 million.
Nobody was at the property at the time of the search. Investigations are continuing.
Meanwhile, Operation Detect resulted in a variety of drugs being seized which were allegedly to be delivered via the postal system.
Police released images of some of the 27 packages seized from postal facilities in Cairns and Townsville, containing a variety of dangerous drugs including methamphetamine, MDMA, GHB, cannabis, cocaine, prescription drugs and steroids.
Investigations into the origin of these packages remains ongoing.
State Drug Squad Detective Inspector Bradley Phelps said a significant quantity of dangerous drugs was now off the streets.
“These criminal syndicate producing drugs make money off the vulnerable to benefit themselves and fund serious and violent crimes that risk the safety of innocent members of the public,” Detective Inspector Phelps said.
“Organised crime is insidious and knows no borders, while this action has cost alleged offenders $13 million, police will not stop there.
“Members of the public are our eyes and ears, and we appeal to anyone who has any information which could assist investigations, no matter how small, to come forward.”
Focused, arrogant? The man who became Qld’s 41st Premier
Figures central to David Crisafulli’s rise to power have detailed what the man himself is really like when the microphones and cameras are off. WATCH NOW
Rare look into secret Brisbane treasure trove of WWI history
The Public Trustee’s secret ‘wills bunker’, the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, has been opened for Remembrance Day today revealing moving documents of WWI soldiers’ sacrifices.