Weapons found, 19 arrested during Mount Isa police operation

Mount Isa police have seized weapons and arrested 19 people during an operation to disrupt and prevent offending by removing dangerous weapons from public spaces. See the video.

Following the passing of new laws to expand the scope of Jack’s Law to include a broad range of public places like shopping centres, Mount Isa police have taken weapons off the street and made several arrests.

Honouring 17-year-old Jack Beasley, who was fatally stabbed outside a Surfers Paradise convenience store in 2019, Jack’s Law aims to combat knife crime by carrying out wanding operations, with more than 500 weapons seized since April 2023.

Launched in mid-October, Operation Citadel was aimed at disrupting and preventing offending by removing dangerous weapons from public spaces and enhancing community safety.

Queensland Police confirmed in a statement that the Mount Isa Tactical Crime Squad, alongside local police conduct high-visibility patrols and metal detection wanding operations, seized five weapons and arrested 19 people.

Almost 100 people were scanned in authorised locations like licensed premises and shopping centres as part of the operation so far, with those arrested charged with weapons, drug and other offences.

A Mount Isa police officer recovers a knife during a bag search in a shopping centre. Picture: QPS.

“On November 5, during high-visibility patrols of a Mount Isa City shopping centre, police scanned a 21-year-old man who was found to be in possession of a knife down his pants,” QPS said.

“He was charged with possessing a knife in a public place and was due to appear before Mount Isa Magistrates Court on November 18.”

The same day, police engaged with a group of teenage boys to conduct handheld metal detection scanning.

Weapons discovered in Mount Isa by police officers during Operation Citadel. Picture: QPS.

“As police were explaining Jack’s Law, a 14-year-old boy attempted to leave,” police said.

“Officers followed the boy, who made admissions to possessing a machete in his backpack.

The machete was seized, and investigations are ongoing.”

Mount Isa District Acting Superintendent Erin Shawcross said Operation Citadel is focused on keeping the community safe.

“This ongoing operation has already shown the impact of Jack’s Law in helping remove dangerous unlawful weapons from our public spaces,” Acting Superintendent Shawcross said.

“We are committed to proactive high-visibility policing efforts across Mount Isa, to deter anti-social and criminal behaviour, and ensure our communities feel safe.”

Originally published as Weapons found, 19 arrested during Mount Isa police operation