More than 50 people charged in Townsville during first two days of Operation Whiskey Legion

A 46-year-old Idalia man was allegedly caught with a kilogram of meth in the Castletown shopping centre car park, marking one of the biggest busts of Operation Whiskey Legion so far. Watch the video.

A 46-year-old Idalia man was allegedly caught with a kilogram of meth in the Castletown shopping centre car park, marking one of the biggest busts of Operation Whiskey Legion so far.

Specialist officers swooped on the man on Thursday, during day two of the operation, and allegedly uncovered the meth in a vehicle.

Specialist police have charged 56 people in the first 48 hours after the launch of a major multi-level operation to reduce crime in Townsville. Source: QPS

A woman was also detained at the scene and searched but released without charge.

The 46-year-old man is facing multiple charges, including possessing a dangerous drug, possessing items used in the commission of a crime, and possessing property suspected of being crime proceeds.

He’s been remanded in custody and will reappear in court on November 27.

Townsville District Officer Chief Superintendent Graeme Paine said a seizure of that size should have a “really positive impact from a community safety point of view.”

Specialist police have charged 56 people in the first 48 hours after the launch of a major multi-level operation to reduce crime in Townsville. Source: QPS

Operation Whiskey Legion, launched on September 11, has already seen 56 people arrested on 109 charges in just 48 hours, including five youths.

Police are expected to be out in force along Flinders St and the Safe Night Precinct this weekend as the operation continues.

In another major move, police nabbed two teens after a break-in spree in Ingham on Thursday.

Officers tracked the suspects using CCTV and conducted search warrants, leading to the arrest of two boys, aged 14 and 16.

The 16-year-old has been charged with two counts of breaking and entering and is due to appear in court on September 19, while the 14-year-old was dealt with under the Youth Justice Act.

Originally published as More than 50 people charged in Townsville during first two days of Operation Whiskey Legion