Six charged in Gold Coast police operation targeting drug trafficking and supply in Surfers Paradise
Over 30 charges have been laid against six people in the culmination of a two-month long police operation targeting drug supply in the Gold Coast’s party precinct. See the footage
Police & Courts
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OVER 30 charges have been laid against six people in the culmination of a two-month long police operation targeting drug supply in the Gold Coast’s party precinct.
Weapons, drugs, drug utensils and a considerable amount of cash was yielded in police raids on Thursday at a Surfers Paradise apartment.
‘Operation Uniform Satinash’ was launched in August after police received information regarding a drug syndicate supplying and trafficking cocaine and MDMA from a Hamilton Avenue holiday apartment complex.
Gold Coast District Criminal Investigation Branch Detective Inspector Chris Ahearn said the syndicate’s criminal activity was “reckless and dangerous”, but considered the win for police as “timely”.
He said the operation had culminated just 24 hours prior to the start of the Gold Coast 500, and just weeks out from Gold Coast Schoolies, which starts November 20.
At about 6am on Thursday, police executed eight search warrants on units at the building, which sits on the doorstep of Surfers Paradise’s Safe Night Precinct.
Police will allege 35.2 grams of MDMA was found, along with 114.3 grams of cannabis, 95 bottles of steroids, 3.6 grams of methamphetamine and 65 grams of cocaine.
Two tasers, an air-powered handgun, $14,085 in cash and various drug utensils were also taken in the raids.
A 45-year-old Surfers Paradise man, Frank Carlucci, has been charged with eight counts of possessing dangerous drugs and one count each of trafficking dangerous drugs, supplying dangerous drugs, possessing anything used in the commission of a crime, possessing utensils and possessing prescription medication.
He fronted Southport Magistrates Court on Friday. His matter was adjourned and he was remanded in custody.
A 51-year-old man, Christopher Robert Lee Howard, has been charged with four counts of possessing dangerous drugs and one count each of trafficking dangerous drugs and possessing property obtained from trafficking or supplying.
He fronted Southport Magistrates Court on Friday and was released on bail.
A 33-year-old Southport man has been charged with one count each of trafficking dangerous drugs, supplying dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs, possessing anything used in the commission of a crime and receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking or supplying.
He is scheduled to appear at the Southport Magistrates Court on November 9.
A 45-year-old Surfers Paradise man has been charged with three counts of possessing dangerous drugs and one count each of trafficking dangerous drugs, possessing property obtained from trafficking or supplying and offence to buy or possess medicines or hazardous materials.
He is scheduled to appear at the Southport Magistrates Court on November 10.
A 22-year-old Surfers Paradise man has been charged with two counts each of possessing dangerous drugs and possessing anything used in the commission of a crime and one count each of trafficking dangerous drugs, supplying dangerous drugs, possessing property obtained from trafficking or supplying and possessing weapon.
He is scheduled to appear at the Southport Magistrates Court on November 15.
A 37-year-old Miami man has been charged with one count each of possessing dangerous drugs and possessing anything used in the commission of a crime.
He is scheduled to appear at the Southport Magistrates Court on November 15.
A seventh person, a 37-year-old Surfers Paradise man, was cautioned for possessing medicines or hazardous poisons.
Investigations are ongoing.
EARLIER: Cops to reveal results of party precinct crackdown
Gold Coast police have charged six people as part of a two-month long operation targeting drug trafficking and supply in the Surfers Paradise Safe Night Precinct.
The revelation comes as the Gold Coast’s biggest event, the GC500, is underway in the city’s tourism hub.
Gold Coast District Criminal Investigation Branch Detective Inspector Chris Ahearn will brief the media about the closure of Operation Uniform Satinash early on Friday afternoon.
More to come.
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