Detectives from the Brisbane City Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) have disrupted a significant drug trafficking operation by arresting 20 people on 303 charges, including seven people with trafficking cocaine and methamphetamine.
Cash, drugs and property in excess of $1 million has also been seized as part of Operation Sierra Virtuous, which ran over a 12-month period focussing on a well organised drug trafficking network operating across Fortitude Valley, New Farm and Greater Brisbane.
Members of the syndicate allegedly used licensed premises and restaurants within the entertainment precincts to supply their illicit substances.
Over the past two days a total of 15 search warrants executed resulting in a total of ten men and women, aged between 25 and 55, being arrested.
A 40-year-old Newstead man was arrested and charged with 86 counts of supplying dangerous drugs and one count of trafficking.
He was denied police bail and will appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court today.
They are expected to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court today and over coming weeks.
Detective Inspector Glen Farmer from the City Valley Crime Group said this operation has been a major disruption in a well organised cocaine drug supply network in Fortitude Valley and New Farm areas.
“The operation has been a success on many levels,” he said.
“The arrest of the drug syndicate members, their associates and the seizure of a drugs linked to the network has created a safer environment on our streets.”
Detective Inspector Farmer said Operation Sierra Virtuous is another example of how drug traffickers attempt to live in our community and seek to cause harm by supplying illicit substances.
“They try to legitimise their income by attempting to live off the illicit gains with no regard to the safety of others,” he said.
“The safety of the community will always be our priority.
“We will continue to target these organised drug trafficking networks to reduce the harm they cause to people in our community.”
