Police have charged 45 people as part of ongoing operations by the South West District and Darling Downs District targeting the supply of dangerous drugs and supply of weapons across the St George, Dirranbandi and Goondiwindi.
Over three days of proactive and co-ordinated operational activity commencing on December 8, thirty-four search warrants were executed by St George and Goondiwindi Criminal Investigation Branch, with assistance from State Drug Squad, State Flying Squad, Major and Organised Crime Squad (Rural), Dog Squad and uniform officers from across the South West and Darling Downs Districts.
Properties were searched as part of Operation Romeo Minster and Romeo Recline with officers locating quantities of methylamphetamine including 130 grams, stolen property and illegal firearms.
45 people were charged with a total of 309 drug, property and weapon related offences, including drug trafficking, drug supply, firearms supply, Burglary and property related offences.
Acting Detective Superintendent Troy Pukallus said the Queensland community continues to consume illicit drugs at concerning levels, particularly in regional areas, which is empirically supported by waste water analysis and evident in the outcomes of this operation.
“This drug use has changed the very fabric of rural communities, resulting in more crime and devastating families,” Acting Detective Superintendent Pukallus said.
“These results reinforce the necessity to employ a joint approach between regional and specialist practitioners that target supply, demand and harm reduction.”
Detective Inspector Mat Kelly said these types of operations were a cooperative effort aimed at reducing harm posed by illicit drugs within rural areas and is a great win for police and the community.
“It is also alarming that persons were charged in this operation with trafficking firearms within rural communities across the South West and Darling Downs Districts,” Detective Inspector Kelly said.
The theft of firearms from rural communities continues to cause concern for police with some of these firearms ending up in the hands of organised crime.
“We continue to appeal to firearm owners to be vigilant and reduce harm to their communities be complying with the Weapons Act when storing firearms.”
If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.
