In a significant strike against illicit drug trafficking, authorities have confiscated over $2 million in illegal narcotics and charged six individuals. This operation was part of a concerted effort to dismantle an alleged major drug trafficking conspiracy spanning multiple states.
The operation was a joint effort by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Queensland Police, and the New South Wales (NSW) Police Force. The collaboration aimed to curtail the alleged trafficking of hard substances like methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin between the two states. As a part of the mission, law enforcement officers executed 15 search warrants on various locations across both territories on Tuesday.
In Queensland, officers apprehended a 33-year-old man from Broadbeach and a 32-year-old man from Mermaid Waters. The duo had purportedly set up a meeting with a supposed buyer for the illegal substances. However, their rendezvous led them into the grasp of detectives and specialist police. They were caught red-handed, with approximately 360 grams of heroin, 150 grams of cocaine, a sizable cash amount, and several mobile phones in their possession.
Following their arrest in a Carrara car park, officers carried out search warrants at multiple addresses at Mermaid Waters, Broadbeach, Southport and Mermaid Beach. They also inspected a storage facility at Surfers Paradise and a vehicle at Varsity Lakes.
The officers’ thorough search yielded more than just two suspects. Over $64,500 in cash, considerable quantities of heroin, steroids, prescription medication, cocaine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia were allegedly unearthed.
The two arrested individuals, the man from Broadbeach and the man from Mermaid Waters, faced a barrage of charges. The former man was indicted on nine drug-related offences, while the latter confronted 12 drug charges. Their allegations encompassed both trafficking and possession of dangerous drugs.
Meanwhile, in New South Wales, officers reportedly confiscated 256g of cannabis, 29g of MDMA and 12.49g of methamphetamine in their raids. Four more individuals were charged in connection to these discoveries.
Among them, a 26-year-old man from South Murwillumbah was slapped with 63 offences, including 47 counts of supplying prohibited drugs and three instances of supplying drugs to a minor. A 25-year-old South Murwillumbah woman found herself facing 20 drug-related offences, including four counts of dealing in a prohibited drug. A 24-year-old Dum-Dum local was hit with 11 offences, including six instances of dealing prohibited drugs and two counts of stalking/intimidating with intent to cause harm. Lastly, a 55-year-old Tweed Heads man was presented with eight charges, including allegations of drug supply and possession.
