COPS NAB ‘ DRUG KING’
LOCAL METH BUST CHARGES
A MAJOR drug syndicate dealing in methamphetamine has allegedly been smashed, the second brought down in less than a month.
Major and Organised Crime Squad detectives swooped on the accused head of the syndicate on Monday before beginning to dismantle the alleged drug gang yesterday as part of a 12- month investigation dubbed Operation Papa Elnath.
Matthew James Andrew Westwood, 28, faces serious drugs trafficking and supply charges. His case was yesterday adjourned in Townsville Magistrates Court to today.
It will be alleged Westwood was head of the syndicate, with detectives arresting seven others allegedly involved in the gang.
A MAJOR drug syndicate dealing in methamphetamine has allegedly been smashed, the second drug gang brought down in less than a month by Townsville’s Major and Organised Crime Squad.
MOCS detectives swooped on the accused head of the syndicate on Monday before beginning to dismantle the alleged drug gang yesterday as part of a 12month investigation called Operation Papa Elnath.
Matthew James Andrew Westwood, 28, faces serious drugs trafficking and supply charges. His case was yesterday adjourned in Townsville Magistrates Court to today.
It will be alleged Westwood was head of the syndicate, with MOCS detectives arresting seven other people allegedly involved in the sophisticated drug gang and more expected to be brought down in coming days.
And yesterday after raiding one Condon home, detectives found an alleged clandestine methamphetamine laboratory, which took hours to break down and safely remove chemicals.
It follows the closure of Operation Oscar Aurum earlier this month, which brought down a major syndicate dealing in cannabis and other dangerous drugs across North Queensland.
MOCS officer- in- charge detective Senior Sergeant Mick Walker said police would allege the drug syndicate was bringing in millions of dollars worth of methamphetamine into the city.
“We will allege that Westwood was involved in a drug trafficking syndicate and that he was one of the principal suppliers in Townsville,” SenSgt Walker said.
“We will allege that he was the head of the syndicate.
“It will also be alleged he was involved in the moving of large quantities of methamphetamine.
“We will allege he had a sawn- off shotgun, a pistol and we have taken a couple of cars off of him, a Nissan Navara and a Commodore, that were proceeds of crime.”
Sen- Sgt Walker said there would be more arrests in coming days.
“At this stage we have eight people arrested on 74 charges … including drug trafficking, possession and supply,” he said. “We have also seized half an ounce of methamphetamine in Charters Towers ( yesterday).
“This goes to show that when one syndicate gets knocked down, another one steps up to take their place.” Sen- Sgt Walker said information from the public was a major part of the operation. “There is still plenty of work to be done,” he said. “We are targeting the higherlevel offenders; we are after the people who are making the money out of the misery of others. People get hooked on it, sucked into it and then people just bleed them dry. “We can’t do this alone and it’s through the information and the intelligence the community provide that we are able to do this.” Westwood has been charged with drug trafficking and supply, possession of firearms, serious assault police, and the possession of proceeds of crime. Anyone with any information on drug crime is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.