Significant drug and cash seizure in Far North LSA

A multi-jurisdictional policing effort has led to the seizure of over $1.6 million dollars cash, and about $3.25 million dollars’ worth of methamphetamine.

Following an investigation between South Australia Police (SAPOL) and Western Australia Police’s (WAPOL) Serious and Organised Crime Branches, in the early hours of Friday 11 December, police from Port Augusta stopped and searched a truck on Eyre Highway at Port Augusta West.

As a result of the search police allegedly located approximately 6.5 kilograms of methamphetamine secreted within the rear of the truck and over $1,650,000.00 cash in a bag in the front cabin of the truck. Police had cause to search the driver, a 31-year-old male Queensland man, allegedly uncovering a further $10,000.00 cash and a small amount of a substance suspected to be methamphetamine. Police will allege the 6.5 kilograms of methamphetamine has a street value of about $3.25 million.

The man was arrested and charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug and unlawful possession. He was refused bail and will appear in the Port Augusta Magistrates Court tomorrow, Friday 18 December.

SAPOL have since coordinated with the assistance of the Queensland Police with further items of evidence having been seized.

Detective Chief Inspector Darren Fielke, Investigations Manager at Serious and Organised Crime Branch, said; “SAPOL have an excellent working relationship with all other State and Territory law enforcement agencies and regularly work in partnership together to target those individuals involved in serious and organised crime activity.

On this occasion SAPOL and WAPOL worked closely together sharing information in a timely manner which has disrupted a group involved in the cross border trafficking of controlled drugs and has led to the seizure of a significant quantity of money which is used to drive these activities.

This success of this investigation highlights the high level of collaboration and information sharing capabilities between South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland Police. This collaboration is a strength of law enforcement and is highly effective in targeting organised crime groups who are intent on trafficking drugs and money across State borders.”