Moranbah Detectives have made further arrests in relation to a large cannabis crop that was located near Calen on the 8th of May 2019.
Operation Quebec Discreet was based in Moranbah and targeted an alleged sophisticated and organised criminal organisation involved in the production and trafficking of bush grown cannabis, throughout the Central Region.
On May 8, police will allege they dismantled the group’s sophisticated cannabis production site near Calen where 8059 mature cannabis plants, cannabis seeds, irrigation, water pumps, solar panels, water storage tanks, a cultivator and electric bikes were seized or destroyed.
Police will further allege the cannabis plants were to be harvested and prepared to be sold by the end of May 2019.
At this time, police will also allege they seized 8 kilograms of drying cannabis from a home in Calen which was destined to be sold in Mackay the same week for $2500 a pound.
A 71-year-old Bucasia man and a 37-year-old Calen man had been charged with allegedly cultivating the large crop which was divided into four large bordered areas.
The two men have been remanded in custody to appear in the Mackay Magistrates Court on July 23 and 24 respectively.
Police have issued both men a Notice to Appear for a further charge each of trafficking in dangerous drugs (namely Cannabis) with a circumstance of aggravation being a participant in a criminal organisation.
Police will allege both men were not only producing Cannabis but were profiting from the proceeds of crime and were the head of the criminal organisation.
Additionally, police have made further arrests in relation to the alleged drug syndicate.
A 35-year-old woman from Bucasia has been charged with trafficking in dangerous drugs (namely Cannabis) with a circumstance of aggravation being participant in a criminal organisation. She has been remanded in custody to appear in the Mackay Magistrates Court on the 15th of July 2019.
A 61-year-old woman from Bucasia has been charge with money laundering with a circumstance of aggravation of being a participant in a criminal organisation. She has been remanded in custody to appear in the Mackay Magistrates Court on July 15.
A 22-year-old man from East Mackay has been charged with trafficking in dangerous drugs (namely Cannabis), supplying dangerous drugs and permitting use of place. He has been remanded in custody to appear in the Mackay Magistrates Court on July 22.
A 53-year-old man from Blacks Beach has been charged with trafficking in dangerous drugs (namely Cannabis), supplying dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs and possessing property obtained from trafficking. He has been released on bail to appear in the Mackay Magistrates court on July 27.
Police will allege that the bush grown cannabis was being sold for between $2500 and $3000 a pound, with sales from 1 pound to more than 100 pounds at any one time.
The operation commenced in September 2018.
Link to crop vision:
https://d2haxmvzil2swt.cloudfront.net/uploads/2019/05/08/9113_Cannabis_Crop.mp4
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You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.
