Child, 12 charged with drug offences

CHILDREN as young as 12 have been charged with drug offences after a year-long police operation in Highfields.

Police charged 21 people with 45 drug offences after the closure of the operation targeting the supply of methylamphetamine, MDMA and cannabis in the Highfields area.

Operation Romeo Impact started in January after an increase in illicit drug use in Highfields.

Police acted on information supplied from the community throughout the operation.

They executed more than 60 search warrants in Highfields and surrounding communities.

Throughout the operation, police charged a total of 74 people with more than 150 offences.

As part of the operation, it will be alleged on November 26, police charged a 13-yearold Highfields boy and a 12year-old Crows Nest boy with possessing dangerous drugs and drug utensils.

A 14-year-old Cabarlah boy and 14-year-old Crows Nest boy were also charged with supplying dangerous drugs and possessing dangerous drugs and utensils.

All boys were dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act.

It will be alleged on October 25, police charged a 20-yearold Highfields man and 19year-old Toowoomba man with possessing dangerous drugs and drug utensils after a search of a home in Highfields located 11.6 grams of MDMA and 350 grams of cannabis.

Both men are expected to reappear in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on January 28, 2020.

Ten search warrants were executed on December 11 in Highfields with 10 people charged with 15 offences.

This includes a 38-year-old Highfields man charged with one count of possessing dangerous drugs (testosterone) and will appear at the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on January 14, 2020.