Queensland police bust $20m cocaine, meth, MDMA, heroin, ketamine trafficking syndicate in and around Brisbane, arrest four men
Police have seized $20 million worth of illegal drugs and arrested four men in south-east Queensland following a major investigation into an organized crime syndicate with links across Australia.
On Wednesday, Queensland police executed simultaneous search warrants at 12 locations across the SEQ, including Yarrabilba, Flagstone, Slacks Creek, Karalee, Logan, Redbank Plains and Upper Mount Gravatt.
During the search, large quantities of drugs were seized, including 90 kilograms of cocaine, 16 kilograms of methamphetamine, 311 kilograms of ketamine and 58 kilograms of MDMA, with an estimated street value of $20 million.
Commercial-scale laboratory equipment and chemicals used to produce illicit drugs were also found in warehouses south of Brisbane.
Four people have been charged as part of an operation by specialized police drug and organized crime groups that launched last year to investigate reports of increased drug trafficking between Queensland, the Northern Territory, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia.
Police believe the smuggling is linked to an international organized crime syndicate that coordinates offshore activities using encrypted devices.
All but one of the men arrested Wednesday were charged with drug trafficking.
Last month Queensland police arrested five people after a total of 156 kilograms of cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, heroin and ketamine were seized at units in Springwood, Reedy Creek, Clayfield and Mermaid Waters.
Acting Detective Chief Inspector Craig McGrath said the outcome of this week’s operation highlighted the “significant resources and expertise being applied to disrupt organized crime at all levels”.
“Removing drugs of this scale from circulation has a direct impact on community safety. Each seized substance represents less substance reaching our streets, reducing harm to individuals, families and frontline responders across Queensland,” he said.
“Transnational organized crime groups are motivated by profit, with little regard for the harm caused by their activities.
“They are exploiting demand for significant financial gain and have no regard for the harm they are causing to people, families or the wider community.”
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