Police have arrested 40 people on drug and property offences as part of Operation Victor Ignite, targeting drug trafficking on the Sunshine Coast.
The operation ended on 23 May, after the Sunshine Coast Drug and Serious Crime Taskforce laid 25 drug trafficking charges and a further 167 drug and property related charges.
During the 18-month long operation, also supported by officers from the Crime and Intelligence Command and Taskforce Maxima, 24 search warrants were executed on homes and businesses across the Sunshine Coast and one in Brisbane, where police seized a large quantity of drugs including cocaine, MDMA, ketamine and cannabis.
Police also found and seized four high end vehicles, a $30,000 boat and several firearms including a loaded semi-automatic pistol.
A large, sophisticated hydropic cannabis grow house was also found during a search of a property in Kunda Park.
Sunshine Coast Criminal Investigation Branch Officer in Charge Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Chris Duhig said Operation Victor Ignite was a fight against drugs and organised crime.
“This operation targeted high-end supply of dangerous drugs from organised crime syndicates and it sends a clear message that drugs are not welcome on the streets of the Sunshine Coast,” he said.
“I thank the officers involved for their protracted investigation work and their tireless efforts to stop the supply of illicit drugs to our community.
“Though this concludes Operation Victor Ignite, police continue to investigate drug trafficking on the Sunshine Coast and I encourage anyone with information that may assist to contact police.”
A search warrant at multiple addresses on 21 May resulted in three Merdian Plains men and two Birtinya men being charged with several drug related offences.
They have been remanded in custody and are due to appear in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court throughout May and August.
