Dozens nabbed in ‘drug ring’ arrests

A rifle and shotgun seized at Woombye in October.

SOME 55 people have been charged with more than 200 drug and weapon-related offences this week following an 11-month operation by police.
Operation Oscar Octave involved detectives from the Sunshine Coast Criminal Investigation Branch, with the assistance of police from other districts, and targeted offences on the Sunshine Coast as well as the Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Wynnum, Strathpine, Grandchester, Flinders View and Walloon areas.
The operation started in December 2015 and finished on 25 October with the arrest of 55 people on 202 charges, including 29 drug trafficking charges.
Police also seized dangerous drugs including methamphetamine, cannabis, MDMA, steroids, and pharmaceuticals believed to be part of a drug syndicate, plus over $300,000 in cash.
Alarmingly, weapons including eight hand guns, five sawn-off shotguns and 46 long arms were seized and property including vehicles, phones, computers, boats and motorcycles were recovered.
The majority of those charged will appear in Maroochydore Magistrates’ Court on 7 November and Noosa Magistrates Court on 8 November.