Gold Coast crime: How borders are helping police bust alleged drug runners
Queensland’s strictest border restrictions are no deterrent for alleged drug runners determined to smuggle product across state lines.
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QUEENSLAND’S strictest border restrictions are no deterrent for alleged drug runners bringing illicit product across state lines - with ice, cannabis and illegal tobacco uncovered.
Despite border cops stopping every vehicle as they enter Queensland, people are still running the gauntlet and taking the risk for the lucrative drug market, police say.
On August 20, a Sydney man attempted to enter the Sunshine State in a van, before savvy border police passed on their suspicions to NSW counterparts. The NSW border police allegedly found 150kg worth of cannabis hidden in hot water systems and a toolbox.
Another man was charged by Queensland police after 236.4g of the drug ice was allegedly found concealed in the footwell of a car at a border checkpoint on August 17
During rolling border closures in 2020 numerous drug hauls were found by police. Drug prices also soared because of border closures due to increased risk and suspected price gouging by drug peddlers.
A report released earlier this year – looking Covid-19, criminal activity and law enforcement – found organised crime gangs adapted and found alternative methods to traffic and distribute drugs amid international and domestic border closures.
The report stated crime gangs used trucking and courier companies to transport drugs as “they were exempt from interstate” travel bans.
“The domestic delivery of illicit drugs diversified as a result of travel restrictions and the resourcefulness of OCGs,” it stated, revealing “largely unregulated home food delivery services were exploited”.
Acting Chief Superintendent Rhys Wildman said police were adapting to match different trafficking methods – and stopping vehicles through Covid-19 checks, as well information from intelligence.
“As we headed into a 100 per cent vehicle inspection across the border it obviously highlights that there’s a greater likelihood of anyone who is attempting to bring drugs across from another jurisdiction into Queensland that they are going to be identified and arrests made,” he said.
“Obviously the two arrests during the week have reflected that approach. It’s not a surprise really that we’re still going to have people attempting to get across the border with illicit substances.
“People who are intent on making money from that trade will take significant risk.
“We’ll maintain the current approach with the 100 per cent vehicle inspections and associated arrests if anyone is found trying to bring drugs into Queensland.”
Meanwhile, detectives from the Major and Organised Crime Unit stopped and searched a vehicle as it crossed into Queensland on Thursday, allegedly finding 600,000 worth of illegal tobacco products.
No charges have been laid.
Detective Acting Inspector Ian Galpin said: Police will remain vigilant to disrupt any criminal activity observed at the borders.”
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