Detectives from the Mackay Criminal Investigation Branch, in collaboration with the Organised Crime and Gangs Group, have simultaneously closed two major drug operations codenamed Sierra Asteroid and Tango Radar.
Sierra Asteroid, conducted between October 2020 and January 2022, targeted organised crime and drug trafficking being conducted in Mackay by the OMCG The Mongrel Mob, including executive members based in Mackay.
Tango Radar, conducted between March 2021 and January 2022, targeted rural drug crime and trafficking of methylamphetamine predominantly in the Mackay and Pioneer Valley areas, which also extended to Cairns and South East Queensland.
As a result of Operation Sierra Asteroid, Detectives have dismantled a drug trafficking syndicate with links to the Mongrel Mob in chapter in Mackay.
Between January 12 and 13, 2022, Detectives from Mackay Criminal Investigation Branch and Detectives from the Organised Crime and Gang Group led the execution of several raids across Mackay, the Whitsundays and South East Queensland.
As a result, detectives seized drugs including methylamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA, LSD, cannabis, fentanyl, steroids, a modified firearm, knuckledusters and various drug paraphernalia.
A total of 17 people have been arrested and charged as part of the operations and have been charged with various drug trafficking, organised crime, weapon and criminal offences.
On January 12 2022 officers executed a warrant at a Blacks Beach address where a year-old 30-year-old Blacks Beach man was arrested and charged with ten counts of supplying dangerous drug, three counts of trafficking in dangerous drug, one count each of recruiting person into criminal organisation, possess restricted item (replica handgun), possess property suspected of being acquired with proceeds of trafficking, possess suspected proceeds of trafficking, possess thing used in commission of crime, fraud.
Detectives also seized a Harley Davidson motorcycle, three cars, a boat, $27,000 cash, a vest, and assorted paraphernalia as alleged assets and proceeds of crime from the property.
Detectives are confident they have disrupted organised crime and the flow of drug supply within Mackay and Whitsundays as a result of the operations and vow to continue to target serious organised crime and rural drug crime in the Mackay and Whitsunday area.
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.
