North Brisbane detectives allegedly dismantle multimillion-dollar drug trafficking syndicate

The names of the people allegedly linked to a “sophisticated” drug syndicate have been revealed after police dismantled the operation trafficking an “evil” drug in southeast Queensland.

Six of the people allegedly behind a multimillion-dollar southeast Queensland drug syndicate have been revealed as a 14-month operation saw police seize almost 20kg of meth and more than $500,000 in cash.

Detectives from the Carseldine Criminal Investigation Branch charged 29 people with more than 180 offences after executing 23 search warrants as part of Operation Tango Balboa.

Police allege the operation, where more than 18kg of methamphetamine, about $556,000 in cash and two firearms were allegedly seized, dismantled a complex drug trafficking syndicate operating throughout the region.

Brisbane detectives have charged 29 people with more than 180 offences as part of a multimillion-dollar drug trafficking syndicate. Picture: Qld Police

Police allegedly also found significant amounts of ketamine and cocaine.

Investigations also allegedly identified more than 25 drug couriers connected to Steven Dang, 35, of Upper Mount Gravatt, alleged to have supplied methamphetamine.

It will be alleged that dangerous drugs, worth more than $50 million, were sold over at least a one-year period.

On January 19, during a search of a vehicle allegedly used by the group, detectives said they found a concealed area containing about 6kg of methamphetamine, $330,000 in cash, a commercial money counter, cocaine and a mobile device.

On February 1, detectives executed a search warrant in bushland near Kholo, near Ipswich, where they allegedly found a demountable building containing multiple items allegedly used to produce illicit drugs.

Detectives from Carseldine Criminal Investigation Branch have charged 29 people with over 180 offences, including 12 charged with trafficking. Picture: Qld Police

Police allege they also found about 12kg of methamphetamine.

The Kholo raid involved more than 50 police on the ground.

Police will allege the drug lab was used for producing meth on a large scale.

Daniel Hutton, 61 of Kholo, was charged with one count of drug trafficking, possessing dangerous drugs (exceeding schedule 4), producing dangerous drugs, supplying dangerous drugs, possessing relevant things, possessing relevant substances, possessing instructions, unlawful possession of weapons, modifying construction of firearms and other drug-related offences.

He has appeared in court and has been granted bail to reappear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on February 20.

Mr Dang was charged with one count of drug trafficking, possessing dangerous drugs (exceeding schedule 3), and other drug-related offences.

He appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on February 6 and was remanded in custody to reappear on March 27.

Still from the video of the dramatic arrests. Picture: Qld Police

Anh Ngyun, 34, of Durack, was charged with four counts of possessing dangerous drugs, two counts of drug trafficking, producing dangerous drugs (exceeding schedule 4), receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking and other drug-related offences.

He has appeared in court and has been remanded in custody to reappear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on February 20.

Jayc Coronel, 35, of Fitzgibbon, was charged with one count of drug trafficking, 11 counts of supplying dangerous drugs, receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking, possessing dangerous drugs and other drug-related offences.

He has appeared in court and has been remanded in custody to reappear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on March 13.

Steven Behrendorff, 28, of Aspley, was charged with one count of drug trafficking, four counts of supplying dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs and other drug-related offences.

He has appeared in court and has been bailed to reappear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on February 20.

Ebony Bird, 40, of Pinkenba, was charged with two counts of drug trafficking, 11 counts of supplying dangerous drugs, unlawful possession of weapons, receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking and other drug-related offences.

She has appeared in court and has been bailed to reappear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on March 13.

Detectives allegedly seized more than 18kg of methamphetamine, about $556,000 in cash and two firearms. Picture: Qld Police

Detective Senior-Sergeant Ken Rogers, the officer in charge of the Carseldine CIB, said Operation Tango Balboa was a significant law enforcement operation targeting a well-organised and sophisticated drug trafficking network.

Sgt Rogers said detectives would allege each person within the syndicate had a specific designated role to play, which was shown by the evidence.

“This was a really sophisticated network. A number of the drugs were being sourced from overseas as well as chemicals used to produce the drugs,” he said.

“They were being brought into Sydney and New South Wales and then transported up here to Brisbane and were either on-sold or the chemicals were used to produce the drug locally and then distributed throughout the north and south side of Brisbane.”

Sgt Rogers said they used technology, including encrypted apps, to access material and uncover the true business side of the alleged operation.

“We’re talking millions of dollars worth of drugs being sold here so that in itself requires a sophisticated level of business,” he said.

“Investigations of this nature go a long way of keeping the people in the community safe … it’s an evil drug.

“As long as people continue to traffic in it and deal in this type of drug … we’ll continue to chase them.

“I commend the diligent efforts of all involved in this substantial operation.

“There are many people before the courts that – should they be found guilty – are facing potentially lengthy jail terms, some in excess of 20 years.

“I encourage anyone with information in relation to illicit drugs in our community to contact police or Crime Stoppers. Together we can and do make a difference.”

PEOPLE ALLEGEDLY BEHIND SEQ DRUG SYNDICATE

DANIEL HUTTON, 61, KHOLO

1 X Drug trafficking

1 X Possessing dangerous drugs (exceeding schedule 4)

1 X Producing dangerous drugs

1 X Possessing relevant things

1 X Possessing relevant substances

1 X Possessing instructions

1 X Unlawful possession of weapons

1 X Modifying construction of firearms

STEVEN DANG, 35, MT GRAVATT

1 X Drug trafficking

1 X Possessing dangerous drugs (exceeding schedule 3)

ANH NGYUN, 34, DURACK

4 X Possessing dangerous drugs

2 X Drug trafficking

1 X Producing dangerous drugs (exceeding schedule 4)

1 X Receiving or possessing tainted property obtained from trafficking

JAYC CORONEL, 35, FITZGIBBON

1 X Drug trafficking

11 X Supplying dangerous drugs

1 X Receiving or possessing tainted property obtained from trafficking

1 X Possessing dangerous drugs

STEVEN BEHRENDORFF, 28, ASPLEY

1 X Drug trafficking

4 X Supplying dangerous drugs

EBONY BIRD, 40, PINKENBA

2 X Drug trafficking

11 X Supplying dangerous drugs

1 X Unlawful possession of weapons

1 X Receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking