Detectives from the Drug and Serious Crime Group, Crime and Intelligence Command have charged a man with firearm and drug offences after the closure of an operation investigating the alleged distribution of dangerous drugs linked to a Gold Coast licensed brothel.
Operation Tango Quartz closed today after a total of 12 search warrants were executed over two days at addresses on the Gold Coast, including an Upton Street business and residential addresses at Surfers Paradise, Reedy Creek and Southport.
The protracted investigation, which involved officers from the Drug and Serious Crime Group's Major and Organised Crime Squad (MOCS) Brisbane and Gold Coast CIB, assisted by the Prostitution Licensing Authority, commenced April 2020 following information received from members of the public.
During the searches, officers located and seized three pistols and ammunition, a taser and baton, and quantities of drugs including steroids, cocaine, MDMA and $9270 cash.
A Lamborghini and Mercedes were also seized as part of the closure.
A total of seven people have been charged with 74 offences as a result of this investigation.
A 40-year-old Reedy Creek man, who police allege to be the brothel licensee, was arrested and charged with 46 offences including one count of drug trafficking, three counts of supply dangerous drugs, two counts of possessing dangerous drug, six counts of possessing weapons, and 32 counts of providing prostitution in contravention to licence. He is due to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on October 5.
A 44-year-old Reedy Creek woman has been charged with eight weapons offences and three counts of knowingly providing prostitution in contravention to license. She is expected to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on October 6.
Detective Acting Inspector Brad Phelps from the Crime and Intelligence Command's Drug and Serious Crime Group said the charges reflect the QPS' ongoing commitment to disrupting the distribution of dangerous drugs into the Queensland community.
"The nature of this alleged offending is very concerning."
"Removing drugs and weapons such as these from the community is particularly important due to the harms they cause. I encourage anyone with information relating to persons involved in drug trafficking, money laundering and unlawful possession of weapons offending around licenced brothels to contact Crime Stoppers," Detective Acting Inspector Brad Phelps said.
