Police have smashed a major drug syndicate alleged to have been involved in the trafficking of dangerous drugs in Far North Queensland, Queensland Police say.
Operation Papa Prowess began in February 2017 as a joint operation by Far Northern Major and Organised Crime Squad and Organised Crime Gangs Group detectives with the assistance of the Far Northern police district.
The QPS also partnered with the Australian Tax Office (ATO) and Victoria Police to investigate the source of drugs and unexplained wealth being generated by syndicate members both within Queensland and interstate.
Police will allege that the syndicate facilitated the trafficking of cocaine from Melbourne to Cairns and Port Douglas through established criminal links before distribution through a network of suppliers throughout the north.
On March 16, police executed search warrants at several addresses in the Port Douglas area including homes on Barrier Street, Endeavour Parade, Nautilus Street, Murphy Street, Tropic Court, Sorrento Crescent, Mountain View Road and Cooya Beach.
Search warrants were also executed at a vessel berthed at the Port Douglas Marina and three businesses in Port Douglas including a gym and a yoghurt shop.
Drugs including cocaine, cannabis and Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) with an estimated value of over $100,000 as well as $32,500 in cash were seized.
Other items including encrypted telecommunication devices, mobile phones, smoking utensils, scales, crocodile skulls and seeds were also seized.
15 people have been charged with 84 offences including trafficking dangerous drugs and supplying dangerous drugs.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers.
