A major police operation targeting the illicit drug trade in North Queensland has culminated in sixteen people being charged with a staggering 400 offences. The extensive raids, conducted across Townsville, mark a significant blow to local criminal networks.
Widespread Operation Targets Drug Supply Chain
The Queensland Police Service executed a series of search warrants at multiple residential properties on Tuesday, 23 April 2024. The operation, spearheaded by the Townsville Major and Organised Crime Squad (Rural), focused on the alleged trafficking of dangerous drugs within the community.
During the coordinated raids, officers seized a substantial quantity of illicit substances, including methylamphetamine (ice), along with drug paraphernalia, a sum of cash believed to be the proceeds of crime, and a number of weapons. The seizures underscore the scale of the alleged operations being disrupted.
Charges Laid Against Alleged Network Members
As a direct result of the investigation and evidence gathered during the raids, sixteen individuals now face a long list of charges. The combined total of 400 offences includes serious allegations such as trafficking in dangerous drugs, possession of dangerous drugs, and possession of property suspected of being obtained through criminal activity.
Among those charged are nine men and seven women, ranging in age from 23 to 53 years old. A significant portion of the arrests and charges stemmed from police activity in the suburb of Kirwan, highlighting it as a focal point of the operation.
Police Commitment to Community Safety
Detective Acting Inspector John Mison of the Townsville District commended the efforts of the officers involved. He emphasised that the operation was a clear demonstration of the police force's ongoing commitment to dismantling organised crime groups that prey on the community.
"The harm caused by the distribution of illicit drugs like methylamphetamine cannot be overstated," Detective Acting Inspector Mison stated. "This result should serve as a warning to anyone involved in the drug trade that police in Townsville are relentless in our pursuit to hold you accountable."
All sixteen accused persons have been formally charged and are expected to face the Townsville Magistrates Court at later dates. The police investigation remains ongoing, suggesting further developments could follow.
This large-scale bust is part of a continued crackdown on drug supply chains in the region, aiming to reduce drug-related harm and improve public safety for the residents of Townsville.
