Boilermaker James Westwood arrested on serious drug charges at Baringa

A Sunshine Coast boilermaker and “family man” has found himself behind bars after being allegedly discovered at a popular gym with hundreds of thousands of dirty cash, cocaine and MDMA.

James Douglas Miles O'Brien Westwood faced the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on March 15, 2024 following a series of drug raids in Little Mountain and Baringa. Picture: File

A Little Mountain boilermaker has found himself at the centre of a major drug investigation after he was allegedly found with $250,000 in cash and drugs worth more than $100,000.

Police allege James Douglas Miles O’Brien Westwood, 31, would be the victim of “standover tactics” or “violent assaults” if released on bail after detectives found him with copious amounts of cocaine, MDMA and cash wrapped in bricks.

Allegations tendered to the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Friday state the boilermaker’s Little Mountain home was raided by Major and Organised Crime Squad partnered with Caloundra Criminal Investigation Branch detectives on Thursday.

During a search under his bed, court documents allege testosterone, MDMA and marijuana were discovered along with a lockbox which police estimated contained between $20,000 to $30,000 in cash.

A search of his mobile also allegedly discovered drug dealing messages through the encrypted app Threema.

Westwood was given a notice to appear, however, he came into police crosshairs about 9.15pm that evening when detectives were about to search a storage unit at Kennards Self Storage in Baringa.

James Douglas Miles O’Brien Westwood applied for bail on Friday. Picture: David Clark

Police allege they identified a vehicle entering the storage facility.

Detectives allege they found the vehicle at World Gym in Caloundra West about 9.30pm.

Westwood left the facility and was swiftly arrested by police.

During a search of the car, detectives allege they found 215g of cocaine, 92g of MDMA along with four rectangular bricks of cash wrapped in duct tape, containing $50,000 each.

A large amount of cocaine and MDMA were allegedly found at Baringa. Picture: iStock

Detectives allege in court documents if Westwood was released on bail he would be “victim to stand over tactics and serious violent assaults” or allege he could commit offences.

Police allege the boilermaker actively tried to collect drugs and cash to avoid further police seizures and was in the car at the storage facility where the items were stored.

Defence lawyer Cherisse Breese said the boilermaker, who works for Shadforth Civil Contractors, has a wife and young child who he supports.

Ms Breese said Westwood had only one entry on his criminal history and claimed there were no risks he would breach bail.

Magistrate Rod Madsen said it was “concerning” the “family man” had drugs allegedly found under his bed at home.

“Drug offending on the Sunshine Coast is a scourge on the community which has untold impacts,” Mr Madsen said as he refused Westwood’s bail.

His matter was adjourned to May 31, where he faces 11 charges including four counts of possessing dangerous drugs, two of receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking and two of possessing dangerous drugs exceeding schedule three.

Originally published as Boilermaker James Westwood arrested on serious drug charges at Baringa