Rodeo party drug bust

PARTY drugs suspected to have been destined for the Mount Isa Rodeo have been seized in targeted raids by police.

A quantity of powdered MDMA and cash was found as part of Operation Papa Journey, set up to target drug use at Australia’s biggest rodeo.

The drugs, with a street value of about $ 6000, and $ 10,000 cash were seized in raids this week, with police arresting 10 people on 16 charges.

Mount Isa CIB Plain Clothes Senior Constable Chris Cronin said it was a significant bust for the region, heading into their biggest event of the year. “It is a pretty significant quantity of MDMA, or ecstasy,” Constable Cronin said.

“It’s significant for out here because it is hard to get drugs out here … and about $ 10,000 cash was seized.

“It was a targeted operation leading into the rodeo to try to reduce drunk and drug violence ... I can say these drugs were destined for the rodeo and we were able to intercept it before then.

“They weren’t pills as such – it was in powder form to be put in capsules, and it was roughly enough to make about 200 capsules.”

Investigations are continuing into how the drugs got into the city.

Previous busts indicate they could have come in numerous ways, whether along the highways, through the mail or by plane.

“There are a number of ways it could have come in, so we can’t say at this stage the way it has come in this time,” Sen Constable Cronin said.

“The criminals take advantage of the area’s vastness to bring in the illicit substances.”

He said a 17- year- old was the youngest person charged in the raids, with the majority of the intelligence leading up to the arrests coming from the community.

“All the information came from Crime Stoppers, which proves it works and we would urge people to call Crime Stoppers if they have information on drug crime in our region.”

If you have any information about drug crime in Mount Isa, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.