Police allegedly find $1.9m worth of illicit drugs across Gold Coast in drug trafficking gang
Police officers conducting raids across the Gold Coast have allegedly uncovered entire homes converted into growhouses, along with nearly $2m worth of illicit drugs. SEE THE VIDEO
Crime and Court
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POLICE officers conducting raids across the Gold Coast have allegedly uncovered entire homes converted into growhouses along with nearly $2m worth of illicit drugs.
Police officers from the State Crime Command’s State Drug Squad raided 10 residential premises and storage facilities across the city in the past two days, targeting an alleged gang trafficking cannabis across southeast Queensland.
Detectives from the operation, called Operation Papa Cider, charged five people on 109 charges and allegedly seized 594 cannabis plants worth $1.485m.
Dried cannabis valued at $426,383 was also allegedly found.
An entire house was allegedly converted into a growhouse at a property in Yarrimba Drive, Nerang, which contained 209 plants.
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More than $116,000 worth of cannabis, equipment and chemicals were allegedly found there.
A second growhouse on Wallaby Drive in Mudgeeraba allegedly had eight rooms specially converted to produce hydroponic cannabis.
158 cannabis plants were allegedly found, worth $155,000, as well as lighting equipment, filters, irrigation equipment and chemicals.
A third growhouse was allegedly found on Leyshon Court in Bonogin. There were 227 plants within the converted dwelling, police allege.
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Police also raided a Surfers Paradise unit, where officers arrested two people believed to be involved in trafficking the drugs.
They allegedly found a large quantity of cash, while a search of a car on the property allegedly uncovered cannabis.
Cannabis was also found at two units on Peninsular Drive in Surfers Paradise as well as a storage facility on Central Park Avenue in Ashmore.
Police also found people allegedly involved in the distribution network as well.
Two storage sheds raided this morning in Ormeau and Gaven allegedly located cannabis and equipment used in its production.
Finally, chemicals believed to be used in the cannabis production were found at a Pacific Pines house.
The five people charged include a 45-year-old woman, a 57-year-old woman, a 44-year-old woman, a 30-year-old man and a 32-year-old man.
All were charged with multiple offences, including trafficking, producing and possession of dangerous drugs offences.
They appeared in Southport Magistrates Court this morning and will reappear on June 21.
Police are continuing to investigate.
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