Police have charged two men following investigations into multiple break and enters in the Bundaberg region.
It is alleged between 17 July and 12 September, the pair gained access to multiple businesses in Cordalba, Welcome Creek, Meadowvale, Oakwood, Redridge, Gregory River, Eureka and Doolbi, as well as a residential property on Voss Road in Elliot.
It will be further alleged they stole multiple trailers, farming machinery, power and hand tools, a motorcycle, hundreds of litres of diesel and petrol, generators, and numerous other items.
On 15 September, police attended an address in New Moonta where officers located several of those stolen items as well as vehicles alleged to have been used in the offending.
Following subsequent investigations, police also seized an air rifle and a homemade taser, as well as quantities of methylamphetamine, cannabis, GBH, MDMA and drug utensils.
A 34-year-old New Moonta man has been charged with fifteen counts of enter premises and commit by break, two counts of unlawful possession of weapons, and one count each of enter dwelling and commit indictable offence, unlawful possession of suspected stolen property and authority required to possess explosives.
He was also charged with four counts of possessing dangerous drugs, one count of producing dangerous drugs, possessing property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence and possessing used utensils.
He is next due to face Bundaberg Magistrates Court on 16 October.
A 38-year-old Morganville man was also charged with fifteen counts of enter premises and commit by break, three counts of unlawful possession of a weapon and one count each of enter dwelling and commit indictable offence, unlawful possession of suspected stolen property, authority required to possess explosives and possessing dangerous drugs.
He is next due to face Bundaberg Magistrates Court on 23 October.
Operation Yankee Forge is a six-month, district-led, statewide initiative targeting high-harm and high-volume offences, including unlawful use of motor vehicles, unlawful entry and robbery.
The operation will enhance policing activities across Queensland to reduce victim numbers and strengthen community safety.
Police regions, supported by specialist squads, will undertake coordinated disruption activities across the state. Police will target high-harm offenders and work closely with partner agencies to ensure offenders are held accountable. With a strong focus on crime prevention, police will be highly visible as they prevent, disrupt and investigate offending, with particular emphasis on unlawful use, robbery and unlawful entry.
The operation will be locally led and centrally coordinated, leveraging the knowledge and experience of officers who know their communities best.
