Drugs found twice
TWO employees allegedly continued to sell synthetic cannabis under the counter, even after their Flinders St shop was raided, police allege.
Kellie Maree Champion, 36, and Simon Reid, 29, allegedly had 2kg of synthetic cannabis in a storeroom in Off Ya Tree when the store was raided on August 23.
When officers revisited the shop in November, they allegedly seized another 500g of the illegal drugs.
Champion, a shop assistant, and Reid, the store’s manager, have been charged with drug trafficking as well as supplying and possessing dangerous drugs.
The pair appeared in Townsville Magistrates Court yesterday.
Their barrister, Tony Kimmins, applied to cross- examine the arresting officer in the committal hearing, saying he wanted to find out what the basis of their charges were.
“As far as the possession ( charge) is concerned they have no proprietal interest ( in the drugs),” he said.
“How is it said by prosecution that the items discovered in August and November raids were in fact in their respective possession?”
Police prosecutor Mark Fenlon opposed the application, saying all the information was contained in the briefs of evidence, but Magis- trate Peter Smid allowed it.
Champion and Reid have not entered any pleas to the drug charges.
Drug squad officers allegedly found the 2.5kg of drugs packaged into 3g, 7g and 15g bags. Each bag was allegedly being sold for up to $ 139 each.
The charges were laid during police Operation Lima Evergreen, which targeted Townsville businesses to weed out the sale of synthetic drugs. In total, about $ 175,000 worth of synthetic drugs was seized, along with $ 100,000 in cash.
Drug squad officer- incharge Detective Senior Sergeant Mick Walker said a total of 18 people were charged with 74 drug- related offences.
Det Sen- Sgt Walker said some of those charged were allegedly still selling drugs when police searched the shops a second time.
“Five people charged with trafficking … because they continued to sell those drugs,” he said.
Champion and Reid’s charges were adjourned to October 31.