Tablelands Unit Lays 1,000 Charges in Property Crime Crackdown

The Tablelands Property Crime Unit has charged 279 people with 1006 offences since the unit was established in February.

Made up of plain clothes and General Duties officers, the unit targets high-risk property offenders causing the most harm across Atherton, Mareeba and the wider Tablelands region.

On 20 October, officers from the Tablelands Property Crime Unit and Tablelands Criminal Investigation Branch executed two search warrants at a Palm Close property and a Reynolds Street shed.

It will be alleged officers located a stolen .22 rifle, a stolen double barrel shot gun, ammunition, a stolen number plate, a cancelled number plate and drug utensils.

It will be alleged the firearms were stolen from a Malanda address in 2016 and a Dimbulah address between 2025 and 2026.

Police also located three carpet pythons for which the man allegedly did not hold a licence for. Investigations in relation to the pythons are ongoing.

A 46-year-old man was charged with three counts of possess tainted property, two counts of unlawful possession of a category A weapon, and authority required to possess explosives.

He is due to appear in the Mareeba Magistrates Court on 23 November.

The man was also dealt a drug diversion.

Detective Acting Inspector Tony Law said the Tablelands Property Crime Unit continues its diligent work, having recovered almost $500,000 worth of stolen property.

"In just eight months, the Tablelands Property Crime Unit has shown dedication to investigating property thefts, burglaries, vehicle thefts and other offences," Detective Acting Inspector Law said.

"Our officers live and work in the Tablelands community and understand the impacts these property offences have on families and businesses.

"We will continue to target property offenders and want them to know if they won't slither out of our grasp if they cause harm to the community."