Raids net 181 on 545 charges
Drug operation tally rises after Lockyer Valley, city searched
A CONCEALABLE pen gun, two rifles and $3000 cash have been seized from Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley properties as part of an ongoing operation targeting criminal activity in the region.
Police have 181 people on a combined 545 charges after the latest raids under the successful Operation Quebec Trawler.
A further 45 search warrants were executed this week as police acted on information from the public in the ongoing battle against illicit substances gripping our communities.
TWO rifles, a pen gun and $3000 cash have been seized from Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley properties as part of an ongoing police operation targeting illicit substances in the region.
Toowoomba Tactical Crime Squad officers, with the Criminal Investigation Branch and Child Protection Investigation Unit, raided 45 properties this week under Operation Quebec Trawler.
The raids led to 58 people charged with a combined 137 offences including drug supply and trafficking, possession and possession of restricted weapons.
It brings the number of people charged under the operation to 181 on a combined 545 offences.
TCS Officer-in-Charge Senior Senior Sergeant Matt Howard said police acted on information from the community which led to the successful search and seizure of illicit substances.
“What’s a concern from police is we found a lot of restricted weapons, a pen gun and some semi-automatic rifles,” he said.
Properties in Helidon, Laidley and Gatton were among the 45 searches executed on Wednesday and Thursday.
Operation Quebec Trawler began last month and has targeted drug offenders, including people involved in the use, supply and distribution of methylamphetamines, or ice, in the region.
Snr Sgt Howard said police seized quantities of the drugs this week.
“Unfortunately drugs are a problem in Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley,” he said.
“It’s a high priority for the Queensland Police Service to stop crime by working with the community to deal with the drug use across the Darling Downs district,
“We continue to target persons who supply and possess dangerous drugs.”
Operation Quebec Trawler has resulted in 122 charges of supply dangerous drugs, two counts of trafficking and 147 charges of possess dangerous drugs.
Cannabis, methamphetamines and amphetamines have been seized, and more than $15,000 in cash.
“We’re very happy with the information members of the community are providing us,” Snr Sgt Howard said.
“We would encourage them to continue to do that.
“We take drugs seriously, and obviously members of the community do as well.”
Phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.