Detectives from the Crime and Intelligence Command Organised Crime Gangs Group have charged six people with firearm and drug offences after the closure of an operation investigating drug trafficking on the Gold Coast.
Operation Victor Secretive closed today after a number of search warrants were executed over the weekend at residential addresses in Surfers Paradise and Biggera Waters and a vehicle was intercepted by police in Bundaberg overnight.
During the searches, it will be alleged police located six firearms (one iPhone handgun, two shotguns (one shortened), two rifles (one shortened), and one pen gun), ammunition and quantities of dangerous drugs, including cocaine and methylamphetamine and large amounts of cash.
The protracted investigation, which involved officers from the Logan and Gold Coast Major and Organised Crime Squad (MOCS) and Maxima with the assistance of Gold Coast Rapid Action Patrols and Bundaberg CIB commenced September 2023 following information received from members of the public.
A 25-year-old Edens Landing man was charged with one count of trafficking in dangerous drugs (cocaine), six counts of supply dangerous drugs (cocaine), one count of supply dangerous drugs (methylamphetamine), one count of unlawful supply of weapons (firearm), one count of possess anything used in the commission of a crime, one count of possess dangerous drugs (cocaine), one count of possess dangerous drugs (MDMA), one count of possess dangerous drugs (methylamphetamine), one count of possess property suspected of being proceeds of an offence, one count of possess utensils and one count of possess explosives (ammunition). The man is expected to appear in the Bundaberg Magistrates Court today.
A 26-year-old Surfers Paradise man has been charged with one count of trafficking in dangerous drugs (cocaine), three counts of supply dangerous drugs (cocaine), two counts of receive property obtained from trafficking dangerous drugs, one count of supply dangerous drugs (MDMA), one count of possessing anything for use in a crime, two counts of possess dangerous drugs (methylamphetamine), two counts of possess dangerous drugs (cocaine), one count of possess Category H weapon (iPhone gun), one count of possess Category C weapon (pump action shotgun), one count of possess shortened firearm (pump action shotgun), one count of possess Category B weapon (rifle), one count of possess shortened firearm (rifle), one count of possess Category A weapon (shotgun), one count of possess shortened firearm (shotgun), one count possess of Category B weapon (bolt action rifle), one count of possess explosives (ammunition), one count of possess Category R weapon (taser), one count of possess property suspected of being proceeds of an offence, one count of escape lawful custody and one count of unlicensed driving. The man is expected to appear in the Southport Magistrates court today.
A 25-year-old Surfers Paradise woman was charged with charged with one count possess dangerous drugs (methylamphetamine), one count possess dangerous drugs (cocaine), one count possess Category H weapon (iPhone gun), one count possess Category C weapon (pump action shotgun), one count possess shortened firearm (pump action shotgun), one count possess Category B weapon (rifle), one count possess shortened firearm (rifle), one count possess Category A weapon (shotgun), one count possess shortened firearm (shotgun), one count possess Category B weapon (bolt action rifle), two counts of possess explosives (ammunition), one count possess Category R weapon (taser), one count of possess property suspected of being proceeds of an offence, one count possess dangerous drugs (ketamine) and one count of possessing a restricted item (extendable baton). The woman is expected to appear in the Southport Magistrates court today.
Two men, both 20, from Biggera Waters were each charged with one count possess dangerous drugs (methylamphetamine), one count possess dangerous drugs (cocaine), one count possess Category H weapon (iPhone gun), one count possess Category C weapon (pump action shotgun), one count possess shortened firearm (pump action shotgun), one count possess Category B weapon (rifle), one count possess shortened firearm (rifle), one count possess Category A weapon (shotgun), one count possess shortened firearm (shotgun), one count possess Category B weapon (bolt action rifle), one count of possess explosives (ammunition), one count possess Category R weapon (taser), one count of possess property suspected of being proceeds of an offence. The men appeared in the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday, they have been remanded in custody and are expected to reappear on April 16.
In March a 27-year-old Reedy Creek man was charged with trafficking in dangerous drugs (cocaine), three counts of supplying dangerous drugs (cocaine), two counts of supplying dangerous drugs (MDMA) and one count each of supplying dangerous drugs (methylamphetamine), possess dangerous drug (cocaine), possess dangerous drugs (testosterone), possess dangerous drugs (cannabis), possess dangerous drugs (oxycodone) possess property obtained from trafficking dangerous drugs (currency), possess anything used in the commission of a crime, and possess utensils for use.
Detective Inspector Craig Bowman from the Organised Crime Gangs Group said the possession of firearms and drugs is a dangerous combination that presents significant risk to police, the community and the people involved.
“Ballistic testing is underway to determine if the weapon that is disguised to look like a iPhone, which can be folded to appear as a firearm, is actually capable of firing projectiles,” Detective Inspector Bowman said.
“The nature of this alleged offending is very concerning. I would like to reassure the community we will continue to direct our specialist resources and capabilities and take all available actions to keep the community safe from harm.”