Tewantin drug bust: 11 people charged after homes raided in Noosa and Sunshine Coast

Eleven people including a former Noosa chef who once worked with Gordon Ramsay have been arrested following a major police operation in four northern Sunshine Coast suburbs.

Eleven people including a former Noosa Heads chef who once worked with Gordon Ramsay have been charged with 28 drug-related offences after a major Sunshine Coast drug bust.

Noosa Police and Brisbane dog squad officers conducted search warrants during Operation Taipan Three at nine homes in the Noosa, Tewantin, Coolum Beach and Cooroy areas on August 11, 2022.

Noosa Police Detective Sergeant Tim Byrnes said police allegedly uncovered a hydroponic cannabis growing operation in a Tewantin home.

Sergeant Byrnes alleged there were mature plants growing under lights along with cannabis oil and dried cannabis at the home and 4.7kg of cannabis was seized.

Police seized 70g of amphetamines, 383g of marijuana and $6000 which police allege belong to Noosa Heads man James Robert Phillis.

Police conducting search warrants during Operation Taipan Three on August 11, 2022, uncovered a hydroponic cannabis growing operation at a Tewantin home. Picture: Contributed

The 38-year-old former chef was charged with two counts of possessing drugs, possessing pipes and possessing tainted property and applied for bail in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Friday August 12, 2022.

Police prosecutor Phil Stephens said detectives alleged the 70.5g of amphetamines found at the Noosa Heads property had an estimated street value of $21,000.

Former Noosa Heads chef James Robert Phillis. Picture: Darryn Smith

Sergeant Stephens said police will allege the former Noosa Heads chef was found with nearly $6000 in cash and said Mr Phillis had two different stories surrounding the money.

Defence lawyer Bruce Peters told the court Mr Phillis – who had once worked with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay – had fallen into drug addiction following the breakdown of a relationship.

Mr Peters said it was common for drug users since the pandemic to buy their drugs in bulk due to its scarcity, with the drugs allegedly found being for Mr Phillis’ personal use.

He also said the money was not “drug derived”.

Police officers uncovered a hydroponic cannabis set-up in Tewantin during Operation Taipan Three on August 11, 2022. Picture: Contributed

Magistrate Raelene Ellis granted Mr Phillis bail with his matters adjourned to September 30, 2022.

Tewantin man Darrell Wayne Stone, 53, was also charged with possessing 0.4g of meth after a search warrant was executed on a Tewantin home which detectives said was part of the Operation Taipan Three raids.

He pleaded guilty to drug possession and was fined $1500, with a conviction recorded.

The other nine people were due to appear in court at a later date.

Originally published as Tewantin drug bust: 11 people charged after homes raided in Noosa and Sunshine Coast