Police have today closed a nine month drug operation that has rid the streets of over 2.5kg of the volatile drug, ice.
Operation Mike Tyras was a multi-agency operation with the Sunshine Coast and Moreton police working together to dismantle a multi-million dollar commercial ice drug network operating across south-east Queensland.
The operation, which involved over 250 staff from across the QPS, commenced in October 2014 by Sunshine Coast detectives targeting an organised crime network on the Sunshine Coast. Investigators then identified an extensive and widespread criminal organisation operating out of Brisbane.
During the course of this operation police seized in excess of 2.5kg of the drug ice valued at a commercial price of $1.5million.
Police have confirmed the alleged syndicate heads of the criminal organisation were arrested and charged in Brisbane last week (known as Operation North Invoice) with drug trafficking and being members of a criminal organisation under the VLAD laws.
Today, police executed 91 search warrants on premises throughout south-east Queensland with the main focus of today’s closure being targets on the Sunshine Coast and Moreton. The operation has resulted in 92 people being charged with 214 offences including trafficking, production of dangerous drugs, other drug related offences, and firearm offences. Sunshine Coast Crime Services Detective Inspector Dave Drinnen said the arrests leading into the closure of the operation, plus the arrests from raids today will have a significant impact on the supply of dangerous drugs on the Sunshine Coast.
“This has been one of the largest and most successful drug operations in the past 10 years on the coast and Moreton and has been an outstanding result,” he said.
“It is concerning to see the networks operating at such a high level and allegedly dealing in such large quantities so widespread across our community.
“This has not only removed a significant quantity of this addictive drug off the streets, but I have no doubt has contributed to saving lives and protecting the community.”
Detective Drinnen said the police will continue to use every resource available to target and dismantle drug trafficking groups.
“The communities expectations are that these criminals wherever they live will be pursued and arrested and we will ensure those expectations are met,” he said.
“Our goal is to ensure that these criminals face the full force of the law and that any property or cash which they have secured through their illicit activities are removed from them.”
Detective Inspector Lance Vercoe of the Drug and Serious Crime Group said the police have no fear or issue in tackling these networks at the highest level.
“The message is clear – if you’re involved in the distribution of drugs throughout Queensland, it is not a question of if, but more of when we will come and pay you a visit,” he said.
