The State Flying Squad (SFS) has just completed its latest deployment to the Far North, with 16 officers deployed over 10 days, resulting in 81 people being charged with 198 offences.
The Squad has now been deployed more than 150 times since it was expanded in January 2025, working alongside local police and other specialist units to help make Queensland communities safer.
On 22 and 23 May, SFS officers supported over 60 local police and other specialist police units in a roadside operation named Operation Yankee Surplus, as part of Operation Forge, the Queensland Police Service's six-month statewide initiative aiming to reduce victim numbers and strengthen community safety.
The two-night operation resulted in 187 charges, ranging from property offences including unlawful use of a motor vehicle and enter premises, to drug-related offences and traffic offences such as drink driving.
During the operation, SFS officers assisted local police at an RBT site, where they searched a 42-year-old Atherton man's vehicle, allegedly locating a large quantity of methylamphetamine, $3800 cash, a large hunting knife, cannabis, a phone suspected of being used in the supply of drugs, scales and utensils.
The Atherton man was remanded in custody and is expected to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court on 21 July.
Officers from the State Flying Squad also executed numerous search warrants during the deployment.
During the execution of a warrant at a Brinsmead residence, police allegedly located a large quantity of dangerous drugs including methylamphetamine, cocaine and illicit prescription drugs, as well as utensils and a suspected stolen bank card.
A 24-year-old Brinsmead man was charged with 4 counts of possessing dangerous drugs (methylamphetamine, cocaine and diazepam), and one count each of possess S4/S8 medications, possess property suspected of being proceeds under the Drug Act, possess property suspected of being used in a drug offence (boric acid and clip-seal bags), possess utensils (pipe and digital scales), contravene order to access electronic information, and possess tainted property (bank card).
He was remanded in custody and is expected to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court on 21 July.
A 28-year-old Hervey Bay woman was also present during the search and was charged with one count of possessing dangerous drugs (methylamphetamine).
She accepted a caution under the Drugs Act.
Detective Inspector Joe Nixon said the State Flying Squad has now successfully deployed over 150 times in its enhanced form, establishing itself as an effective resource to support local police in reducing crime and making Queensland communities safer.
"The Squad provides an investigative surge capacity, enhancing police ability to execute proactive and reactive operations and helping to remove serious repeat offenders from the streets." Detective Inspector Nixon said.
"We identify crime hotspots using our in-built intelligence unit, we rapidly respond, and we support local police as needed."
"The squad will continue to deploy whenever and wherever we're needed most, to boost policing capability and help Queenslanders feel safer."
Brinsmead Search Warrant: QP2600969778
Vision timestamps:
0:00-0:53 SFS officers arrested a 42-year-old Atherton man on drug, property and weapons-related charges during Operation Yankee Surplus, a roadside initiative lead by local police as part of Operation Forge.
0:54-1:51 A search warrant being executed at a Brinsmead residence, resulting in the arrest of a 24-year-old Brinsmead man on numerous drug and property charges.
1:52-end Additional Operation Yankee Surplus footage
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.
