Officers from the Far North District’s Major and Organised Crime Squad (FND MOCS) have made a significant number of arrests and seized considerable quantities of dangerous drugs as well as cash and three motor vehicles, following the closure of an operation on Tuesday, November 14, Queensland Police say.
Operation Papa Blatina commenced in February this year and targeted the trafficking of dangerous drugs by a Cairns-based organised criminal network.
As a result of the operation, a vehicle was intercepted in Brisbane on October 22 and four men aged 20, 27, 30 and 40 were arrested.
A search of the vehicle allegedly resulted in the location and seizure of a large quantity of methyl amphetamine and cash, as well as packaging equipment scales and phones. The vehicle was also seized.
The four men, from Kuranda, Woree, Mareeba and Smithfield, were conjointly charged with possession of a Schedule 1 drug in a quantity exceeding Schedule 4; Possession of a thing used in the commission of a crime and possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of a Drugs Misuse Act offence.
On Tuesday, November 14, officers executed search warrants at two Kuranda addresses as well as addresses in Smithfield, Mooroobool and Woree.
As a result of those searches, a 26-year-old woman, two men aged 40 and another two men 20 and 27 were conjointly charged with trafficking methyl amphetamine.
Whilst officers were executing a search warrant at the Smithfield address, a man arrived at the Stanton Road property on a motorcycle. He was detained and a search of his backpack allegedly resulted in the location and seizure of packaged cannabis.
A 48-year-old Mooroobool man was charged with possession of a Schedule 2 drug in a quantity exceeding schedule 3, supplying a dangerous drug and possession of drug utensils.
A total of seven people were charged as a result of Operation Papa Blatina. They are scheduled to either re-appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on November 22 or face their first appearance on November 30.
Officer-In-Charge of the FND MOCS, Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Brad Grace said the arrests had a significant impact on the network and their ability to traffic illicit drugs into Far North Queensland.
"We will continue to target those attempting to traffic and supply dangerous drugs into our communities, and are determined to keep this stuff out of the hands of both the community and our kids," Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Grace said.
Investigations are continuing as a result of the operation.
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