Detectives from the Sunshine Coast’s Drug and Serious Crime Taskforce have closed a 12-month operation targeting the trafficking of dangerous drugs by organised crime groups including members associated with the Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang, resulting in the arrest of 18 people on 55 charges.
The operation, involving detectives from the Sunshine Coast and specialists from Crime and Intelligence Command’s Firearms and Cannabis Team, targeted a crime syndicate operating from the Sunshine Coast, with a supply network that expanded into other areas of South East Queensland and the Wide Bay.
Operation Tango Birch commenced in December 2020, targeting the distribution of commercial quantities of drugs including cocaine, MDMA, cannabis, and methylamphetamine in an area spanning from Logan in the south and Bundaberg in the north.
On Friday, December 17 officers from across the Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay and SEQ commenced a closure of the Tango Birch around South East and Central Queensland, and over several days executed 19 search warrants, culminating in the arrest of 18 people on 55 charges.
During Operation Tango Birch, police seized dangerous drugs with a street value totalling more than $265,000, including more than 32 kilograms of high-grade cannabis, other drugs including cocaine, MDMA and methylamphetamine. Police also seized $120,000 in cash and weapons including firearms, tasers, knuckle dusters and flick knives.
A 24-year-old man and a 21-year-old man, both from Buderim, were each charged with drug trafficking (cannabis) and supply cocaine. They are both due to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on February 4.
A 52-year-old Beerwah man was charged with drug trafficking (cannabis) and supply cocaine, and is due to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on January 10.
A 34-year-old Branyan man has been charged with drug trafficking (cannabis) and is expected to appear in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on January 14.
A 27-year-old Buderim woman and a 35-year-old Buderim man were each charged with drug trafficking (cannabis) and are both due to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on January 7.
Detective Inspector Dave Drinnen, Sunshine Coast Crime Group said Operation Tango Birch and results police achieved will have a significant impact on the supply of dangerous drugs on the Sunshine coast.
“Through these ongoing disruption strategies we will continue to target organised crime to keep our community safe.”
