JOINT TOWNSVILLE OPERATION SEIZES CASH AND NARCOTICS
Monday, February 8, 2016
Australian Border Force (ABF) and Queensland Police Service (QPS) officers this week (February 1-5) executed search warrants at various addresses in the Townsville metropolitan area seizing large quantities of cash and narcotics.
The initial investigation began in South Australia, when ABF officers detected numerous attempts to illegally import Performance and Image Enhancing Drugs (PIEDs) into the state through international mail. After successfully disrupting these attempts, months of further activity and investigations by the ABF revealed a Townsville link.
Working closely with Queensland Police, officers seized approximately 6100 ecstasy tablets, $60,000 in cash, approximately five kilograms of high quality cannabis and 37 grams of methamphetamine. A man has been charged with eight counts of drug and weapons related offences including trafficking dangerous drugs. He faced Townsville Magistrates Court on February 4 and has been remanded in custody until March 8.
Commander Immigration and Customs Enforcement for the ABF, David Nockels, said the operation highlighted once again how close cooperation between the ABF and other law enforcement agencies was protecting the health and safety of the Australian community from dangerous and prohibited imports.
"Our officers have a very close and productive working relationship with Queensland Police and it's this close relationship which has led to this result," Commander Nockels said.
Queensland Police Service (QPS) Detective Senior Sergeant Mick Walker of the Townsville Drug Squad said our ability to exchange information between relevant partner agencies is stronger now than ever before.
"With the results achieved here a testament to our collective resolve to fight this war on illicit drugs," Detective Senior Sergeant Mick Walker said.
"With the results achieved here a testament to our collective resolve to fight this war on illicit drugs," Detective Senior Sergeant Mick Walker said.
Queensland Police have charged two males aged 24 and 23 years respectively with a total of nine drug offences including trafficking dangerous drugs, possession of dangerous drugs, possession of money believed to be proceeds of crime and possession of restricted items (Tasers).
The offenders will appear in the Townsville Magistrates Court between February 19 and March 8, 2016.
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