The Sunshine Coast Gang Squad have disrupted a major drug distribution operation on the east coast of Queensland under Operation Whiskey Yaniro.
Assisted by the Sunshine Coast Tactical Crime Squad, Drug and Serious Crime Group and Maxima, this operation sits under Operation Victor Albatross which was established to target outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) members and associates on the Sunshine Coast.
An extensive investigation under Operation Whiskey Yaniro led police to intercept a car just off the Bruce Highway in Caboolture on Tuesday night, 18 June, on what police will allege was a routine drug distribution route.
Police searched that car and found 13kg of Methamphetamine, 3kg of MDMA, approximately 500g of heroin, 55 pounds of cannabis, 15L of GHB, and four firearms.
The drugs seized have an estimated street value of more than $2.6 million.
Sunshine Coast Detective Inspector Chris Toohey said this is a significant moment for the east coast of Queensland.
“Police have taken a substantial amount of drugs off the streets that police will allege were on their way to communities from the Gold Coast north to Cairns,” Detective Inspector Toohey said.
“This sends a clear message to people involved in the production and distribution of drugs – it will not be tolerated.
“We will do everything in our power to stop dangerous drugs from hitting our streets and harming our kids, our friends and the wider community.
“We will continue to lead proactive, intelligence-based operations to target dangerous and unlawful activities.”
The driver of the car, a 43-year-old Scottville man, was arrested at the scene.
Police will allege the drugs seized were sourced from OMCG groups and are regularly distributed across the east coast of Queensland from the Gold Coast to Cairns.
Police then searched an associated storage shed on Mountain View Avenue, Miami where they located an additional three firearms.
The 43-year-old Scottville man has been charged with multiple drug-related offences while being remanded in custody and is due to appear in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on 20 September.
Police also executed search warrants at two properties in Maroochydore, on Melrose Parade and Sixth Avenue, where they also located and arrested two associates of the 43-year-old man.
A 54-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman from Fortitude Valley, have been charged with multiple drug related offences and are set to appear in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court in June and July.
Further charges are expected as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information that may assist this operation are urged to contact police.
