Two men charged and over $4 million in drugs seized after joint operation by Raptor Squad and QPOL, NSW

Two men will face court today after $4.5 million in drugs were seized as a result of a joint operation between Raptor Squad and Queensland Police overnight.

As part of ongoing operations to disrupt and dismantle illicit activity by organised criminal groups, Raptor Squad commenced an investigation into the sale and supply of prohibited drugs between states by individuals connected to the Comancheros Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG).

Raptor Squad investigators, with assistance from Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), the NSW Crime Commission (NSWCC) and Queensland Police Service (QPOL), received information that drugs were allegedly being trafficked from Sydney to Brisbane yesterday (Thursday 4 March 2021).

Following extensive inquires, QPOL officers attended a home in Eight Mile Plains, Queensland and arrested a 30-year-old man last night.

Search warrants were executed at the man’s home and a shipping container stored at a building site in Yatala, Queensland.

As a result of the searches, QPOL officers seized cash, a mobile phone, 130kg of cannabis, 1.5kg of cocaine and 2000 litres of chemicals which have been taken for forensic examination.

The combined estimated potential street value of the seizure totalled $4.5 million, pending further testing of the chemical substances.

The man was charged with two counts of possession of a dangerous drug exceeding the schedule, possession of things used in connection with an offence against the Drugs Misuse Act 1986 and tainted property. He was refused bail to appear at Brisbane Magistrates Court today (Friday 5 March 2021).

Following further inquiries, officers attached to Raptor Squad stopped a Hino Pantech truck on the Pacific Highway at Kew and arrested the driver, a 24-year-old man.

During a search of the truck, police located and seized mobile phones and $476,000 secreted in an external lockable box on the vehicle.

A subsequent search warrant was executed at a business in Smithfield where cocaine was seized.

The man was taken to Port Macquarie Police Station where he was charged with supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity) and knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime.

It will be alleged in court that the man travelled to Queensland from Sydney to supply prohibited drugs.

The 24-year-old was bail refused to appear at Port Macquarie Local Court today.

Strike Force Raptor was established in 2009, before becoming a standalone squad in 2021. Raptor Squad conducts proactive investigations and intelligence-based, high-impact policing operations to prevent and disrupt conflicts, and dismantle any network engaged in serious organised criminal activity.

Anyone with information, including relevant photos and videos, that may assist Strike Force Raptor can report it directly to investigators via the Strike Force Raptor online reporting page: https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/Default.aspx?id=49 or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Information provided to investigators will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

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