Drugs from US shipped in comic books to Gold Coast

Gold Coast detectives have smashed an alleged international drug smuggling ring bringing kilograms of ice to the Glitter Strip.

GOLD Coast detectives have dismantled an alleged international drug smuggling ring, bringing in kilograms of ice to the Glitter Strip.

It will be alleged the syndicate were importing methamphetamine in from the United States through post and couriers, hiding the drugs in hollowed out comic books and other means to bring in their illicit goods.

Coast detectives yesterday arrested the ring leader, a 49-year-old man, of no fixed address, who they will allege was travelling between the Gold Coast and the USA to organise the shipments from Southern California.

Alleged international drug smuggling syndicate smashed by Coast detectives.

It will be alleged police seized about three kilograms of ice, with a street value of about a million dollars. Cannabis, cash, GHB, an electric bike, a stolen 4.6m boat and trailer and other drug paraphernalia, had also been seized during the six month operation.

In total police arrested 10 people, allegedly involved in the drug ring, on over 30 charges.

Detective Inspector Brendan Smith said the closure of Operation Romeo Vigilant would take some 30,000 hits of ice off the streets.

“The operation has been running for about six months and has resulted in about three kilos of ice being intercepted and seized by police, which equates to about 30,000 hits,” Insp Smith said.

Alleged international drug smuggling syndicate smashed by Coast detectives.

“It (the drugs) was found as it was being intercepted coming in from overseas and some was found in the searches today, we also located a stolen boat.

“It looks like it a lot of it has come through mail and couriers … we have had a very fruitful partnership with Homeland Security in America and we’ve worked very closely with them to target this main offender.

“(it will be alleged) the main offender has been travelling to and from America for a number of months organising the import of the drugs.

“A lot of them aren’t know to each other (within the syndicate) there’s a number of the key people who are, (it will be alleged) he was the main lynch pin of the group and he would bring it in and distribute it out through other people.”

Alleged international drug smuggling syndicate smashed by Coast detectives.

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Insp Smith said the elaborate drug ring, allegedly sent the drugs hidden in the post or by courier.

“There’s a number of them there where he has had it hidden inside of hollowed out comic books and things like that, obviously a little bit of preparation has gone into it.

“As you can appreciate a significant amount of mail comes into Australia daily, so to intercept this sort of drug is a great win for the community.”

He said there have no arrests in America at this point, but they had identified who the supplier is in the States.

“Not at this stage (arrests in America), but we are working closely with them, we’ve identified the supplier over there.

“Homeland Security is working with local police in America to take some enforcement action over there.

“At this point we think it is coming from Southern California, as you can appreciate that’s very close to the international border of Mexico, so it is unclear at this point where it’s from.

“We’re certainly looking at those links.”

He said police got the information about the syndicate through the public and from those looking to save their skin.

“We’ve got people out there that are in trouble with the law and they’ll do anything to save themselves.

“I think that’s the message for offenders, there’s no honour among thieves, they’d give up their mother if they think it’s going to save themselves.”

If you have any information about drug crime on the Coast contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.