Manly West man arrested after cops find 20kg drug stash in Newstead building

An alleged drug trafficker caught with almost 20kg of meth, cocaine and heroin has been charged after a dramatic arrest in an inner-Brisbane car park.

An alleged drug trafficker caught with almost 20kg of meth, cocaine and heroin has been charged after a dramatic arrest in a Brisbane car park.

The 50-year-old Manly West man faced Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday after police allegedly discovered his stash of drugs and ammunition in at a commercial space in Newstead.

Police will allege they found 15.9kg of meth, 2.4kg of cocaine, 1.5kg of heroin, 200 rounds of 9mm ammunition and fireworks stored in the property.

Investigators also allegedly found a small amount of anabolic steroid and items used to package drugs.

Dramatic footage of the man’s arrest shows multiple officers swarm on the man in an outdoor carpark while he is pushing a trolley and force him to the ground.

He is placed in handcuffs before being questioned nearby.

The man’s arrest was the result of joint Taskforce Venator – a drug trafficking investigation involving both federal and state police agencies which included searches of multiple properties.

Australian Federal Police Detective Inspector Tim Puchala said Taskforce Venator was dedicated to protecting the community from the scourge of illicit drugs.

“The AFP is focused on preventing drugs entering the Australian community and causing widespread harm,” Inspector Puchala said.

An alleged drug trafficker has been caught with almost 20kg of meth, cocaine and heroin in a dramatic arrest.

“Even in small amounts, drugs cause immense harm to users, their loved ones, and the community around them, through the impact on the health care system and associated crime.”

Queensland Police Service Detective Acting Superintendent Tim Leadbetter said Taskforce Venator had caused significant disruption to organised criminal syndicates and investigations would continue.

“The QPS works closely with the AFP and law enforcement partners in relentlessly pursuing criminal groups involved in serious and organised crime with the goal of eliminating the threat in Queensland,” Superintendent Leadbetter said.

“This result is another example of our commitment to combating organised crime and associated criminal activity and protecting the community from the harm they cause.”

The man has been charged with four counts of possessing a dangerous drug, and one count each of trafficking in dangerous drugs, possessing things in connection with a crime, possessing explosives and contravening an order about device information from digital device.

Originally published as Manly West man arrested after cops find 20kg drug stash in Newstead building