Officers from the Tablelands Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) and Firearm and Cannabis Team (FACT) have charged four people with 16 drug and firearm offences as part of an ongoing surge response to crime in the Far North.
This specialist deployment was supported by Australian Border Force (ABF) who assisted with executing search warrants in Ravenshoe and Speewah on 15 October.
It will be alleged at the Ravenshoe address, police located flick knives, a taser, cannabis, drug utensils, capsicum spray, a laser pointer, and airsoft firearms including handguns, a pistol and rifle.
A 19-year-old Ravenshoe man was charged with one count each of possession of a category R weapon and possessing dangerous drugs.
A 29-year-old Ravenshoe man was charged with one count each of possess utensils, possession of a category R weapon, possession of a category M weapon and possession of a category H weapon.
A 49-year-old Ravenshoe woman was charged with one count of possess utensils.
A 19-year-old New South Wales man was charged with one count each of unlawful possession of category H weapon, unlawful possession of category R weapon and unlawful possession of category M weapon.
All four were issued adult cautions.
In a separate search warrant at a Speewah address, police allegedly located several unlawful firearms and firearm parts.
Police allege a 42-year-old Speewah man was involved in manufacturing illegal firearms.
The 42-year-old Speewah man was charged with two counts each of possession of a category H weapon and of possession of a category R weapon, and one count each of possession of a category M weapon, possession of a category A weapon, possession of explosives, manufacture category H weapon, manufacture category R weapon.
He is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on 24 November.
Detective Inspector Jason Chetham said the Firearm and Cannabis Team were a welcome addition to the Far North.
"The knowledge and additional support they provide in relation to firearm related offences is extremely valuable," Detective Inspector Chetham said.
"We are always concerned about the presence of unlawful firearms in our community and will continue to run intelligence-driven operations to ensure community safety.
"There is no place for these types of weapons in our community and we urge anyone with information about them to contact police."
Operation Whiskey Firestorm is a high-impact statewide initiative designed to tackle the critical issues of firearm safety and illicit firearms.
The operation is sending a clear message about the importance of proper firearm storage and the role licenced firearm owners play in ensuring community safety. Operation Whiskey Firestorm is also focusing on a coordinated statewide response to the investigation, prevention and disruption activities involving illicit firearms offences and violent firearm related offending.
This operation comes in response to 2024 statistics which saw 1,055 firearm licenses revoked, and over 3,290 offences involving firearms, including serious offences such as attempted murder, assault, robbery and unlawful entry.
The QPS will be conducting extensive audits, coordinating regional operations, and working with licensed firearm owners to ensure they meet safety and ownership rules and regulations.
