Police have closed a six-month operation targeting the illicit activities of outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCG) in South East Queensland, resulting in the arrest of 11 people with links to the Bandidos OMCG and the seizure of cash, firearms and drugs.
The operation was established in June 2021 with the assistance from the Australian Border Force into the importation, production and trafficking of dangerous drugs linked to the Bandidos OMCG.
Detectives from the Crime and Intelligence Command’s Organised Crime Gangs Group Maxima Tactical, with the assistance of officers from the Brisbane Drug Dog Squad, executed eight search warrants between June 24 to December 1 at various addresses across Brisbane, Ipswich and Moreton Bay.
During the operation closure, police seized a large quantity of Diazepam and pharmaceutical tablets, along with various quantities of methylamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA, LSD, steroids, cannabis, and cannabis plants and seeds.
The total value of drugs located is estimated to be $520,850.
Weapons, including two shotgun firearms, tasers, knuckledusters and ammunition, along with $38,825 cash were also seized.
The operation resulted in the arrest of 11 people – all either members or associates of the Bandidos OMCG – on 297 charges, including three people charged with drug trafficking.
A 24-year-old Gailes man has been charged with multiple offences including six counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs, 98 counts of supply dangerous drugs, nine counts of possessing dangerous drugs, and one count each of producing dangerous drugs, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of tainted property and possession of proceeds (cash).
A 21-year-old Gailes woman has been charged with multiple offences including six counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs, 87 counts of supplying dangerous drugs, five counts of possessing dangerous drugs, and one count each of producing dangerous drugs, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of property suspected of being proceeds of a crime.
The pair are due to appear at Ipswich Magistrates Court today (December 15).
A 24-year-old Kallangur man has been charged on multiple offences including two counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs, 16 counts of supplying dangerous drugs, three counts of possessing dangerous drugs, two counts of possessing property used in connection with the commission of a drug offence and one count each of unlawful supply of weapons, unlawful possession of weapons and possession of property suspected of being proceeds of crime.
He is due to appear at the Pine Rivers Magistrates Court on January 21.
An earlier arrest as part of the operation included a 41-year-old Tivoli man, the President of the Bandidos Ipswich chapter who was charged with offences against the Drugs Misuse Act 1986.
Detective Inspector Damien Hansen of the Organised Crime Gangs Group said the result was another example of the QPS working with partners to target and disrupt the activities of criminal gangs to keep communities safe.
“Removing drugs from the community and firearms and cash out of the hands of gang members is a significant result and we will continue taking all available action to target and dismantle these gangs,” Detective Inspector Hansen said.
