DRUGS, GUNS SEIZED
30 ARRESTED ON 179 CHARGES
POLICE have seized $2.6 million in drugs, several illegal guns and about 58kg of marijuana in the closure of a huge drug syndicate targeting Townsville.
Detectives from Townsville and Moreton Major Organised Crime Squads executed 12 search warrants at properties across Townsville and Sunshine Coast as part of the four-month operation.
Yesterday, police raided multiple Townsville properties and found 11 firearms, including rifles and shotguns, and two toolboxes full of marijuana in a shipping container at Bohle.
Further items seized include $271,000 cash, three cars and 2.2kg of methamphetamine. Police have charged 30 people from both areas with 179 drug and firearms charges.
Drug and Serious Crime Group Detective Acting Inspector Brad Phelps said as the result of collaboration and comprehensive investigation work, a network of alleged criminals involved in trafficking drugs in the north of the state have been arrested.
“This was a highly successful operation, particularly through the removal of a significant amount of drugs and firearms from the Townsville community,” he said.
“Firearms in the wrong hands and dangerous drugs like ice can have a devastating impact and we’re pleased with the results of Operation Romeo Isoro in removing these serious threats from our streets.”
Those charged yesterday included a 24-year-old Jensen woman, Ebony Rebecca Jackson and a 37-year-old Jensen man, Michael John Lynch who appeared in the Townsville Magistrates Court, charged with drug trafficking and a number of other drug and weapons related offences.
Neither of them applied for bail.
Their matters will be mentioned again today.
Last week a 52-year-old Townsville man and 52year-old Logan man appeared in the Townsville Magistrates Court in relation to multiple drug charges after detectives located drugs and cash inside a vehicle in Home Hill as part of Operation Romeo Isoro.