Taskforce dismantles organised crime networks, seizing $13m in drugs and cash as well as firearms

A multi-agency police taskforce has seized $13 million in drugs and cash as well as a significant number of weapons in a major blow to trafficking operations in Queensland. WATCH THE VIDEO

Police have seized close to $13 million in drugs and cash, as well as weapons, from traffickers operating in Queensland, in a massive blow to organised crime.

Established in February this year, Taskforce Sentry partnered multiple agencies to target criminal networks that focus on attempting to import illicit drugs and firearms into the state.
This latest haul by the taskforce brings the total value of drugs seized from Queensland’s criminal networks to close to $30 million.

Drugs seized as part of Taskforce Sentry, a six-month multi-agency operation targeting drug and firearm traffickers.

Ninety people have been charged with 414 offences pertaining to drug trafficking, production and possession since February.

Authorities seized more than 6kg of cocaine, 2kg of methylamphetamine, 1kg of MDMA and 391kg of cannabis.

Among the alleged discoveries was 8kg of cocaine hidden inside modelling clay from the UK, 3.3kg of heroin concealed inside boxes of disposable gloves from Vietnam and 1kg of cocaine concealed in car parts sent from Italy.

Australian Border Force Assistant Commissioner Tim Fitzgerald said there had been 32,000 narcotic detections since the start of the year, or 140 a day, since the beginning of the year.

He said organised crime syndicates were going to “significant lengths” to hide drug importations.

“We continue to see creative attempts to circumvent our controls,” Assistant Commissioner Fitzgerald said.

“Including impregnation of cocaine into clothing, cocaine concealed in the linings of cardboard boxes and significant amount of narcotics held within picture frames …”

Assistant Commissioner Fitzgerald said there had been a shift towards syndicates mailing smaller amounts of drugs using a “scattergun approach”.

The multi-agency operation comprised of QPS’s Crime and Intelligence Command, Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, and the Department of Home Affairs.

Arrests included a Sunshine Coast man who allegedly manufactured cocaine in a home laboratory and had instructions on how to make a DIY version of the expensive party drug.

Cash seized as part of Taskforce Sentry, a six-month multi-agency operation targeting drug and firearm traffickers.

QPS Assistant Commissioner, Katherine Innes, said the taskforce was a massive disruption to criminal syndicates in the state and impacted the distribution of drugs and firearms in the community.
“As a result of excellent co-operation and investigative work, Taskforce Sentry has seized 10 firearms, $2.6 million cash and $10.7 million worth of drugs, bringing the total value of drugs seized from criminal networks operating in Queensland to close to $30 million,” Assistant Commissioner Innes said.

Weapons seized as part of Taskforce Sentry, a six-month multi-agency operation targeting drug and firearm traffickers.

“By working together across national and international borders, we gather important intelligence to assist with targeted disruption activities and build our intelligence holdings to support current and future investigations.”

Drugs seized as part of Taskforce Sentry, a six-month multi-agency operation targeting drug and firearm traffickers.

The taskforce also provided tactical support to major drug operations, including AFP-led Operation Ironside.

Taskforce Sentry arrests

• A 31-year-old Pimpana man arrested and charged on August 12 with one count of supplying a dangerous drug. Police will allege he accepted delivery of 1 kilogram of cocaine sent from Italy concealed in vehicle parts. He is due to appear at Southport Magistrates Court on September 9.

• A 32-year-old Richlands man arrested and charged on May 7 with attempted possession of a dangerous drug after the taskforce investigated a package that had arrived in Australia from the UK containing 8 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside modelling clay. It will be alleged that a search warrant executed on the property located the contents of the package hidden under garden trimmings in the backyard. He is due to reappear in the Richlands Magistrates Court on August 31.

• A 20-year-old Robina man charged on April 20 in connection with attempting to import a kilogram of heroin after the taskforce investigated a package that had arrived in Australia from Kenya with the heroin hidden within ribbon spools. He is due to re-appear at the Southport Magistrates Court on September 6.

• A 35-year-old Inala man and 39-year-old Mackay woman were arrested and charged with drug offences on March 23 following a taskforce investigation into a package that arrived in Australia from Vietnam containing 3.3 kilograms of heroin concealed inside boxes of disposable gloves. It will be alleged the package was addressed to a business in Mackay where the woman accepted delivery. It will be further alleged the woman provided the package to the man who was subsequently intercepted in a vehicle with the package on board. The man was charged with three offences including attempted possession of a dangerous drug and possession of suspected drug proceeds. The woman was charged with attempted possession of a dangerous drug. Both are due to reappear in Mackay Magistrates Court on December 15.

• A 30-year-old Eight Mile Plains man charged with drug offence on March 4, following a joint operation with NSW Police Force investigating a syndicate involved in the alleged interstate transportation and distribution of dangerous drugs.

Originally published as Taskforce dismantles organised crime networks, seizing $13m in drugs and cash as well as firearms