Firearms and drug equipment seized in cross-border joint operation at Gold Coast

Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Drug and Serious Crime Group have charged two Gold Coast men and located firearms and clandestine drug equipment as part of a joint agency investigation into the interstate supply of drugs and firearms.

Following search warrants executed on three addresses on the Gold Coast yesterday, a 27 year-old Highland Park man and 36 year-old Mudgeeraba man were arrested. During the searches, detectives located and seized thirteen firearms at a Mudgeeraba house and two pill presses at a storage shed at Ashmore. These have been used in the production of MDMA.

Police also seized drugs, cash and other items used in the production of dangerous drugs along with computer equipment, hard drives and mobile phones. Also located and seized at the Mudgeeraba address were 20,000 rounds of ammunition.

The action (Operation Ronson) forms part of a broader joint investigation that commenced in January 2020 with New South Wales Police (Strikeforce Ranson) and Victorian Police into cross-border trafficking of drugs and firearms.

Both men are expected to appear in Southport Magistrates Court today on multiple drug and firearm charges, where NSW detectives from Strike Force Ranson will apply to extradite them back to New South Wales.

Detective Superintendent Col Briggs of the Drug and Serious Crime Group said the Queensland outcomes were significant and highlighted the excellent cooperation between jurisdictions.

“These arrests are the result of thorough investigative work and an excellent partnership between police across the country, who remain united in the fight against interstate drug syndicates and organised criminal behaviour.

“Removing illicit firearms and commercial drug equipment – capable of producing significant amounts of ecstasy pills – from impacting our communities is a real win,” Detective Superintendent Briggs said.

In total five people have been charged on drug and weapons offences as part of the joint investigation, which remains ongoing.

For more information see the New South Wales Police media release.







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