Operation North Outfield – Major drug arrests
As part of an ongoing Organised Crime Gangs Group operation, North Outfield detectives arrested and charged two Gold Coast men on Monday August 21 with serious drug and weapons charges.
The arrests occurred after a white van was intercepted by police in Ashmore and it is alleged the two men were the occupants of the van. A search of the van located equipment that is alleged to have been used in the production of drugs, approximately 3.1 kilograms of powder suspected to be the dangerous drug MDA and a loaded shortened pump action shot gun.
It will be alleged the driver of this van was arrested after he ran from the van in possession of a large amount of cash, steroids, approximately 64 grams of cocaine and false identification.
The man alleged to be the passenger of the van was located and arrested in Brisbane later that evening.
It will be alleged a subsequent search of a shed at Southport, used by both men, located a substantial quantity of chemicals and waste products related to the production of dangerous drugs. A search of vehicles inside the shed located a .45 calibre handgun.
A 36-year-old man appeared in Southport Magistrates Court yesterday and was remanded in custody until August 25. He has been charged with possess schedule 1 dangerous drug exceeding quantity in schedule 3 (cocaine), possess schedule 2 dangerous drug exceeding quantity in schedule 3 (MDA), possess dangerous drug, unlawful production of dangerous drug, two counts of possession of proceeds of crime, possession of shortened weapon (pump action shot gun) and possession of things used.
A 31-year-old man appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court yesterday and was remanded in custody until September 4. He was charged with unlawful production of dangerous drug, possess schedule 2 dangerous drug exceeding quantity in schedule 3 (MDA), possess dangerous drug and possession of proceeds of crime.
On August 22, further search warrants relating to this operation were executed on the Gold Coast which resulted in another two women and one man being charged. A 34-year-old man, a 31-year-old woman and a 19-year-old woman from the Gold Coast were issued with notices to appear and will appear in court next month on drug and property offences. It will be alleged detectives seized quantities of heroin, methylamphetamine, cannabis, steroids and false identifications.
“This has been a protracted investigation by the Organised Crime Gangs Group and demonstrates that we will relentlessly pursue and prosecute organised criminals,” Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar said.
Investigations are continuing.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.
Source: Brisbane Crime Alert
