The Illicit drug trade in the Mount Isa area has been significantly disrupted thanks to the work of local police who have seized nearly $60,000 in cash, a cache of drugs and multiple firearms, as well as arresting a number of people on trafficking and supplying dangerous drug charges, as part of Operation Tango Everglade.
Mount Isa District Tactical Crime Squad Officer-in-Charge Joel Bryant said police had made 13 arrests with more than 154 charges as part of the six-week operation.
"This operation began in mid-July following a search warrant at a Beta Street, Sunset address and targeted a methylamphetamine trafficking syndicate operating between Mount Isa and Brisbane," Sergeant Bryant said.
Throughout Operation Tango Everglade, several search warrants were undertaken with the support of the Brisbane City Tactical Crime Squad and Major and Organised Crime Squad Northern Region, accompanied by drug and firearm detection dogs and handlers.
During the operation's enforcement phase, quantities of suspected methylamphetamine, cocaine, cannabis, gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), pharmaceuticals, two firearms, quantities of ammunition, and in excess of $57,000 cash was located and seized by police.
"We make no apologies for disrupting the life-destroying trade of Methylamphetamine in the region-a cancer that erodes the social fabric of our community-and our success in bringing offenders before the courts serves as a warning for any criminal who may seek to profit off the misery of others.
A 30-year-old Sunset woman has been charged with 39 offences including one count of drug trafficking, and 25 counts of supplying dangerous drugs, among other offences. She was arrested on August 24 and is due to appear in the Mount Isa Magistrates Court September 8.
A 63-year-old Soldier's Hill man has been charged with 14 offences including, three counts of supplying a dangerous drug, unlawfully possessing two firearms, unlawfully possessing a modified firearm, and possessing tainted property, among other offences. He was arrested and charged on August 24 and is due to appear in the Mount Isa Magistrates Court October 6.
A 33-year-old Fortitude Valley man has been charged with 29 offences including one count of trafficking dangerous drugs, 17 counts of supplying dangerous drugs, five counts of supplying a relevant substance or thing among other offences. He was arrested on August 24 and is due to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court September 22.
A 34-year-old Fortitude Valley man has been charged with five offences including one count of trafficking drugs among other offences. He was arrested and charged on August 24 and is due to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on October 29.
A 37-year-old Fortitude Valley man has been charged with one count of trafficking dangerous drugs and possessing a thing used in the commission of a crime. He was arrested and charged on August 24 and is due to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court October 29. A number of community members are currently assisting police with inquiries relating to Operation Tango Everglade, with further arrests foreseeable in the future
