ICE USERS FACE THEFT CHARGES
A SYNDICATE of ice users has been blamed for an elaborate car parts and diesel black market, with the money earned from a series of thefts allegedly used to feed their addiction.
Three men will face charges after allegedly breaking into businesses in the Bohle industrial estate and quarries near Deeragun, stealing car parts, tyres and diesel fuel.
It is alleged the men stole more than 5000L of diesel and almost $ 100,000 worth of vehicle parts and stock.
Police claim the men were selling the diesel for $ 1 per litre and the car parts to feed their ice addiction, as well as modifying their own ute with stolen parts.
Deeragun police officerin- charge Senior Sergeant John Mahony said the men had been charged with 34 offences including break and enter, stealing, wilful damage and unlawful entry of a motor vehicle offences.
“They were all acting as a syndicate of a type, the diesel was being onsold to peo- ple for monetary return,” Sen- Sgt Mahony said. “We had become aware that certain people were putting in orders of car parts and diesel and the people charged were actually committing the break and enters to steal the items that were being
‘‘ They were all acting as a syndicate … the diesel was being onsold to people for monetary return SENIOR SERGEANT JOHN MAHONY
sought by these people. Our inquiries have identified that ice use may have been a contributing factor in the commission of the offences.
“It’s an example of how the use of ice is contributing to property offences.”
Sen- Sgt Mahony said police expected to arrest more people for buying the stolen parts and diesel fuel.
“Police will continue to make inquiries into the people who have purchased the fuel and other people who have unlawfully received property from the three offenders,” he said.
“In the coming days, we will be locating those people with a view to prosecute them.”
A 20- year- old West End man, a 19- year- old Bohle man and a 19- year- old Mount Louisa man will face Townsville Magistrates Court in relation to the thefts in coming weeks.