Police have seized a large quantity of drugs, dangerous weapons (including a semi-automatic rifle) and a significant quantity of cash following an investigation into a large drug trafficking network operating throughout southeast Queensland, Queensland Police say.
Yesterday morning and as part of Operation Papa Palette, members of State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Gangs Group, South Brisbane District Police and the dog squad executed two search warrants on addresses in Robertson and Algester.
During the search of the Robertson residence, police located $195 000 in cash, nine mobile phones and computers.
During the search of the second address police located a shortened semi-automatic weapon, $194 200 in cash, seven kilograms of heroin, a pump action shotgun and ammunition and seven semi-automatic pistols.
A Hyundai vehicle and a series of weapons including nun-chucks, knuckledusters and knives were also located and seized during the searches.
A 39-year-old man was located, arrested and charged with one count each of:
- Produce dangerous drug
- Supply dangerous drug
- Possess anything used in the commission of a crime
- Possess category C weapon (pump action shot gun)
- Possess category C weapon (semiautomatic rifle)
- Receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking
- Shortening firearm
- Modifying construction or action of firearm
- Possess category H weapon (handguns)
- Possess category M weapon (butterfly knives)
- Possess category M weapons (knuckledusters)
- Possess restricted item (nun-chucks)
- Possess ammunition
The man was remanded in custody and due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court today.
"It is certainly a concern to have these types of weapons and drugs concealed within a residence of suburban Brisbane. It is a great result to remove these and the risk they presented to the community.
"We remain committed to targeting organised crime syndicates and striking at the core of their business enterprises, including their involvement in the supply and trafficking of illicit drugs," Detective Superintendent Roger Lowe of the Organised Crime Gangs Group, State Crime Command said.
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.
