During May 2022, uniform police from the Mount Isa District Tactical Crime Squad (MIDTCS) initiated operation Uniform Truro to deconstruct drug syndicates operating in the Mount Isa district, charging six people on 70 charges, including trafficking methylamphetamines, and one woman with money laundering.
During the course of te operation a series of enforcement activities including search warrants and tactical vehicle interceptions were conducted to disrupt the supply and harm of dangerous drugs in the Mount Isa community, resulting in a number of significant arrests.
On September 26 police executed a search warrant in Kurrajong Street, Parkside. During the search police will allege they located quantities of methylamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. A 32-year-old man was charged with drug trafficking (methylamphetamines), possessing dangerous drugs exceeding schedule 3 (methylamphetamines), possessing things used in a drug crime, dealing in proceeds of crime in excess of $10,000, and dealing with property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime. He will appear before the Mount Isa Magistrates Court on October 17.
On October 5 police conducted a tactical interception a vehicle in Camooweal Street, Mount Isa. During a search of the vehicle police will allege they located a quantity of methylamphetamines secreted behind the dash of the vehicle, as well as cash and drug related paraphernalia. On October 9 a 45-year-old Pioneer man was arrested and charged with possessing dangerous drugs exceeding schedule 3 (methylamphetamines), possessing utensils, possessing property reasonably suspected used in a drug offence and possessing tainted property. He was remanded in custody to appear before the Mount Isa Magistrates Court on October 17.
On October 8 police from the Mount Isa Highway Patrol, MIDTCS officers and general duties police conducted a tactical intercept of a vehicle at Milne Bay Road, Soldiers Hill. During a search of the vehicle police allegedly located a quantity of methylamphetamines with a street value exceeding $60,000, a quantity of testosterone, and drug related paraphernalia. A 33-year-old Winston woman was arrested and charged with possessing dangerous drugs exceeding schedule 3 (methylamphetamines), possessing dangerous drugs (testosterone), supplying dangerous drugs (methylamphetamines), possessing property reasonably suspected used in a drug offence and possessing utensils. She was remanded in custody.
On October 10 police arrested and charged a 29-year-old Winston man with six counts of supplying methylamphetamines, one count of supplying lysergic acid, and two counts each of possessing things used in the commission of a crime, possessing property reasonably suspected of used in a drug offence and possessing utensils. He was subsequently released from custody on bail and will re-appear before the Mount Isa Magistrates Court on November 23.
On October 11 police arrested a 29-year-old Pioneer woman as a result of a protracted investigation. She was charged with 14 counts of supplying a dangerous drug (cannabis), one count of trafficking dangerous drug (cannabis), contravening an order about information necessary to access information stored electronically, and money laundering. During the course of this investigation police, with the assistance of a forensic accountant, identified in excess of $350,000 of unexplained wealth they allege was the proceeds of crime. She was subsequently released from custody on bail and will re-appear before the Mount Isa Magistrates Court on November 28.
On October 12 a 39-year-old Menzies woman was arrested and charged with two counts of drug trafficking (Methylamphetamines and cannabis), 24 counts of drug supply (Methylamphetamines, cannabis and cocaine) and two counts of possessing a thing used in the commission of a crime. She will appear before the Mount Isa Magistrates Court on October 13.
Sergeant Joel Bryant, Officer in Charge of the Mount Isa District Tactical Crime Squad said the success in apprehending criminal entities is dependant on the relationships with the Mount Isa community, and their on-going support through reporting of suspicious activity to Crime Stoppers and Policelink.
"We will remain fluid and adaptable in our investigative response to criminal syndicates that attempt to evolve their unlawful methodologies to elude law enforcement and financial institutions."
Sergeant Bryant said operations and investigations into drug supply in the Mount Isa district continue and he anticipates further arrests.
"There are people out there who should be nervous because they can expect a knock on the door, or a vehicle intercept, as we have more investigations underway," he said.
Sergeant Bryant encourages anyone in our community who is suffering from drug dependence to seek support from Queensland Health's Alcohol and Drug Information Service or other support services or networks.
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.
