Police have arrested and charged eight people with drug offences as part of an operation targeting criminal gangs and the suspected trafficking of dangerous drugs in Far North Queensland.
Over the past three days (November 21 – 23), detectives from the Cairns Criminal Investigation Branch and the Organised Crime Gangs Group, with assistance from Australian Border Force officers, executed a total of six search warrants at addresses in Cairns, Innisfail and Mission Beach as part of Operation Sierra Puma.
During the searches officers seized quantities of cannabis, crystal methylamphetamine, MDMA, steroids and prescription medication. Approximately $65,000 in cash was also seized, along seven sawfish rostrums and weapons including a flick knife and firearms .
A cannabis growhouse with 25 plants was also located at a Bayview Heights address.
A total of eight people were charged on 34 drug and weapon offences.
Officers executed a search warrant at an Ishmael Road residence in Cairns where a 57-year-old man and known member of the Mongrel Mob was arrested and charged with one count each of possession of a dangerous drug and utensil.
He is expected to appear in the Cairns Magistrate Court on December 8.
A 27-year-old Cairns woman was charged with two counts each of possessing dangerous drugs and utensils, and one count each of possession of proceeds of crime, possession of property used in a crime, possession of restricted drugs, possession of a weapon (flick knife) and possession of suspected stolen property.
She is due to appear in Cairns Magistrate Court on November 23.
A 19-year-old Bayview Heights man was charged with two counts of possession of a dangerous drug, one count each of receiving tainted property (cash) and possession of utensil.
He is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrate Court on December 8.
A 53-year-old Innisfail man was charged with one count each of possession of dangerous drugs, possess utensils and unsecured firearms.
He is due to appear in the Innisfail Magistrate Court on January 25.
A 38-year-old Mission Beach man was charged with two counts of possession of dangerous drug and one count of possession of a category M weapon (flick knife) and illegal possession of sawfish rostrums. He is due to appear in the Tully Magistrates Court on December 10.
A 45-year-old man, 42-year-old man and 41-year-old woman, all from Bayview Heights, were each charged with one count of produce dangerous drug, possession of a dangerous drug exceeding schedule and possession of utensil. All were issued a Notice to Appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on January 11.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.
