Operation Sierra Fullback results in multiple charges, seizure of dangerous drugs at Townsville

Townsville Police have charged a total of five people on 16 drug offences following the execution of search warrants in Jensen, Yabulu, Deeragun, Wulguru and Bluewater Park yesterday (December 17).

As part of Operation Sierra Fullback, officers from the Tactical Crime Squad, Major and Organised Crime, Rapid Action Patrol, Townsville and Stuart police stations executed search warrants at premises targeting offenders allegedly involved in supplying and possessing dangerous drugs.

Police will allege that they located two rooms containing hydroponic equipment at a Jensen residence as a result of one of the searches.

One room allegedly contained eight cannabis plants, two grow lights, two inverters and a carbon filter.

A second room allegedly contained 24 cannabis plants, one inverter and a thermostat reader.

It is also alleged that police located approximately 1.9kg of cannabis and other drug utensils in the residence.

A 24-year-old Kirwan man has been charged with one count of fail to properly dispose of needle and possess property suspected of having been used in connection with a drug offence.

He is expected to appear in the Townsville Magistrates Court on January 11.

Investigations are continuing.

In another search undertaken as part of the operation, police allegedly located eight cannabis plants, four utensils and a small quantity of cannabis at a Bluewater Park residence.

A 55-year-old Bluewater Park woman has been charged with one count each of produce dangerous drug, possess dangerous drug, possess anything used in the commission of a crime and possess utensils.

She is expected to appear in the Townsville Magistrates Court on January 19.

In a third search, police allegedly located seven cannabis plants, utensils, scales and a small quantity of cannabis.

A 37-year-old Wulguru man was charged with one count of possess dangerous drug, produce dangerous drug and possess things used in the administration, consumption, smoking of dangerous drug.

He is expected to appear in the Townsville Magistrates Court on a later date.

Police also executed a search warrant at a Yabulu residence and allegedly located approximately 11 grams of cannabis, numerous drug utensils and a taser.

A 32-year-old Saunders Beach man was charged with one count each of possess dangerous drugs, possess anything used in the commission of crime and possess utensil.

A 48-year-old Yabulu man was charged with one count each of possess dangerous drugs, possess anything used in the commission of crime and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Both are expected to appear in the Townsville Magistrates Court on January 18, 2021.

Acting Inspector Brett Humphreys praised the efforts of the officers involved.

“It is well known that users and distributors of dangerous drugs are often involved in an array of offences including property crime within the district and this helps in disrupting the supply of dangerous drugs into the Townsville community,” Acting Inspector Humphreys said.

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.

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