Police find motherload following 18-month drugs operation

An 18-month police operation has uncovered millions in cash and large quantities of drugs and guns.

More than $8m in cash, automatic weapons, ammunition and a stash of cocaine and marijuana have been seized following an 18-month police operation that ended with a light aircraft being detained north of Brisbane.

The Aerostar Piper was intercepted at Redcliffe Airport, about 30km northeast of the CBD, on Monday. Police allegedly found $1m in cash and cannabis inside with a street value of $3.5m.

The aircraft departed Melbourne and arrived at Redcliffe Airport on Monday at 2pm.

Cash and cannabis were allegedly found hidden in a light plane that arrived at Redcliffe Airport, north of Brisbane, from Melbourne on Monday. Picture: Supplied / QPS

Three men were initially arrested following the plane’s interception for allegedly being involved in an interstate drug syndicate.

The discovery led police to raid several residential properties and storage sheds across north Brisbane as part of Operation Romeo Mugwort.

Queensland Police have seized $8.5m in cash following an 18-month operation targeting alleged drug traffickers. Picture: Queensland Police

A further $1.5m in cash was located and a significant quantity of cannabis during the searches, police allege.

They allege they have seized a total of $8.5m in cash, weapons, ammunition, cocaine and cannabis, with 14 men aged between 25 and 60 facing almost 150 drug-related and organised crime charges.

The alleged offences include trafficking, supply of dangerous drugs, receive or possess property obtained from trafficking or supplying and knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime.

Police allegedly seized automatic guns, rifles and handguns during raids on properties across north Brisbane. Picture: Queensland Police

Detective Superintendent Tony Fleming said detectives and intelligence officers would continue to target people trafficking drugs.

“People who traffic drugs are profiting from the harm caused to users and people who are crime victims because of illicit drugs,” Superintendent Fleming said.

“Queensland Police are at the frontline of cleaning up the mess every day caused by illicit drugs, and this is another proactive operation by police aimed at making our community safer.”

Police have charged 14 men with about 150 drug-related charges after an 18 month operation that allegedly netted $8.5 million in cash and weapons. Picture: Queensland Police

AFP Northern Command Acting Commander Sascha Rayner said the arrests were an example of authorities working together to outsmart organised crime.

“The AFP stands ready to support our Queensland counterparts and help in any way we can to stop illegal drugs and firearms from having devastating impacts on our community,” Superintendent Rayner said.