Police have charged 20 people with 261 offences under Operation Xray Limbo, targeting an entrenched drug trafficking methylamphetamine syndicate in Moranbah, with links as far south as Brisbane.
The operation was established in March 2025, led by the Moranbah Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), to disrupt and dismantle the movement of drugs following an increase in drug related intelligence reported to police by the community.
Detectives executed 11 search warrants across Moranbah, Nebo, Ashmore, and Scarborough on 25 and 26 August to close the operation.
Police seized a substantial amount of drugs across the search warrants including approximately 326 grams of methylamphetamine, 2.7kg of cannabis, 62 grams of cocaine, and 16 grams of MDMA, worth an approximate total value of $120,000.
Police also seized $50,000 cash, a firearm, ammunition and a distinctive black Kawasaki Z1000 motorbike, which police will allege was used in trafficking dangerous drugs.
Of the 20 people charged, a 32-year-old Moranbah man was arrested in Moranbah on 25 August and charged with 85 offences including 78 counts of supplying dangerous drugs, two counts of possessing dangerous drugs, and one count each of trafficking in dangerous drugs, possess property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence, possessing anything used in the commission of crime defined in Part 2, possess utensils or pipes etc that had been used, and contravening order about information necessary to access information stored electronically.
He has been remanded in custody and is due to next appear at Emerald Magistrates Court today, 27 August.
A 33-year-old Nebo man was arrested in Nebo on 25 August and charged with 15 offences including three counts of possessing dangerous drugs, two counts of possessing dangerous drugs Schedule 1 drug quantity of or exceeding Schedule 3 but less than schedule 4, and one count each of obstruct police officer, possessing dangerous drugs Schedule 2 drug quantity of or exceeding Schedule 3, unlawful possession of weapons Category D/H/R weapon, authority required to possess explosives, manufacture explosive without authority, possess utensils or pipes etc that had been used, possess tainted property, publishing or possessing instructions for producing dangerous drugs, fail to properly dispose of needle and syringe and offence to buy or possess S4 or S8 medicines or hazardous poisons.
He has been remanded in custody and is due to next appear in Mackay Magistrates Court on 2 September.
Detective Inspector Emma Novosel said this was a significant operation focused on strengthening community safety, with further charges expected.
"Detectives used overt and covert methodologies to detect and investigate these offences over a six-month period, aimed at preventing and disrupting the movement of drugs in our community," Detective Inspector Novosel said.
"This operation, and the dedicated work of detectives, has led to substantial charges and property seizures. This will have a significant impact on the local community.
"We're committed to keeping dangerous drugs off our streets to protect our community and will continue to proactively target people who aim to cause harm."
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.
