POLICE HAIL NINE-MONTH $1.4M STING A WIN AGAINST DRUG TRADE
POLICE believe a major dent in the drug supply on the Cassowary Coast has been achieved after a large-scale investigation targeting the key figures allegedly distributing illicit substances throughout the region.
Police allege a potentially dangerous handmade booby trap set up at a Flying Fish Point home was among drugs, weapons and cash seized during the nine-month operation, totalling about $1.4 million.
Ice, cannabis, LSD, cocaine and MDMA were among the drugs seized, according to police.
The booby trap was allegedly protecting a property belonging to one of the two main figures of the syndicate.
One of the men arrested, Brett Souvlis, 26, appeared in the Innisfail Magistrates Court yesterday, charged with drug trafficking.
He did not apply for bail and the case was adjourned until November 13.
Police allege he was the main distributor of the network and he lived in a shed beside 46-year-old David Debrincat, who is accused of acting as security.
He has also been charged with trafficking and will appear in court at a later date.
A third man from Fitzgerald Creek, William Davis, 45, also faced court yesterday on a trafficking charge and his matter was also adjourned until November.
The trio are among 97 people arrested during the ninemonth Operation Papa Carnelian with detectives from Innisfail’s Criminal Investigation Branch and the Far North’s Major and Organised Crime Squad laying a total of 374 charges.
Nine people are charged with the most serious offence of drug trafficking.
Innisfail police Detective Sergeant Matt Bauer said officers used a variety of “overt and covert” tactics during the investigation, which extended from Cairns south to Mission Beach.
“We believe the closure of this operation will have a significant impact on drug supply around the Cassowary Coast area,” he said.
It is alleged about 20 guns were seized during the operation, including a homemade handgun.
It is also alleged the booby trap, loaded with live ammunition, involved steel tubing attached to a tree at the entrance to a property. Police raided homes at Eubenangee and Goondi Bend as part of the operation’s closure on Tuesday.
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