Police have charged 32 people with 78 offences following a number of operations targeting crime hot spots across the Lockyer Valley.
Between 12 June and 3 July, officers from Laidley and Gatton Police Stations, Gatton Criminal Investigation Branch, Intelligence, Highway Patrol, Dog Squad and the Darling Downs Tactical Crime Squad focused on tackling drug and property offences as well as road safety.
On 12 June, police intercepted two vehicles on Echidna Place in Plainlands after the occupants of the vehicles were observed acting suspiciously (vision below).
When officers conducted a search of a white 2010 Kia Cerato, they allegedly discovered 15 grams of methylamphetamine, mobile phones and drug utensils.
Officers searched the second vehicle, a 2011 Mazda CX-7, where it is alleged they discovered a black bag containing a large sum of cash.
A 27-year-old Harristown woman was charged with one count each of possess dangerous drugs, possess utensils and possess property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence.
She has been remanded in custody and is due to reappear in the Ipswich Magistrates Court on July 30.
A 36-year-old Zillmere woman has also been charged with one count of contravening an order about information necessary to access information stored electronically.
She is due to appear in the Sandgate Magistrates Court on 5 August.
On 26 June, officers were conducting patrols in Gatton when they intercepted a vehicle on Lake Apex Drive.
It will be alleged the male driver was in possession of a knife, a quantity of pills and drug utensils.
A 48-year-old Gatton man was charged with one count each of possession of a knife in a public place, offence to buy or possess S4 or S8 medicines or hazardous poisons and failure to dispose of a syringe or needle.
He is due to appear in Gatton Magistrates Court on 29 July.
On 1 July, officers intercepted a vehicle on Cochrane Street in Gatton after a vehicle was observed to be behaving in a suspicious manner.
It is alleged when officers searched the vehicle, they located a sum of counterfeit money along with a quantity of methylamphetamine and drug utensils.
A 36-year-old Gatton man was charged with one count each of possessing dangerous drugs, possess utensils and possess counterfeit money.
He is due to appear in the Gatton Magistrates Court on 27 July.
Over the three-week period, police also conducted 44 roadside breath tests resulting in one person charged with drink driving and 14 roadside drug testing, which resulted in five people being charged with drug driving.
Darling Downs District Acting Country Patrol Inspector Stuart Robinson said the number of offenders and charges laid highlights the Queensland Police Service's (QPS) commitment to keeping the Darling Down's community safe.
"Queensland has seen its population grow exponentially in recent years including here in the Darling Downs District and it is our role to keep the community safe by detecting, deterring and disrupting all types of criminal activity." Acting Inspector Robinson said.
"These operations help us to boost capacity, allowing us to get out there and saturate an area we know has been experiencing higher rates of crime.
"While it may not always be visible to the public, our officers are extremely dedicated and work hard every day so our community is safe and feels safe."
Key statistics:
• 2 knives seized
• 44 Roadside Breath Tests (RBTs) conducted
• 14 Roadside Drug Tests (RDTs) conducted
• 47 Traffic Infringement Notices (TINs) issued
• 42 street checks
• 6 vehicle checks
• 37 proactive patrols of business
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
