Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Major Drug Operation Closed

A major investigation involving the seizure of drugs, cash and weapons was closed this week by detectives from the Mackay Tactical Operations Team.

Operation ‘Tango Muscatel’ commenced in November 2021 focusing on the trafficking of methylamphetamine, MDMA and cannabis in the Mackay District.

The operation involved police from the Mackay district, officers from specialist sections of the Queensland Police Service and assistance from Australian Border Force.

During the operation investigators identified a criminal network, reaching from Brisbane to Mackay, involved in the supply and trafficking of dangerous drugs.

Investigators employed numerous covert and overt strategies to dismantle and disrupt this identified criminal network.

Investigators located and seized illegal drugs including 150grams of methylamphetamine, 2kg of cannabis, 83 cannabis plants, 13g of cocaine, quantities of LSD, MDMA and steroids.

The total street value of the drugs seized is estimated at $425,000.

“It’s not so much, necessarily, about what we seize on a particular day or throughout the course of the operation,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Eaton.

“Whilst we seized a significant quantity of drugs, we also will allege that these persons had been trafficking and supplying a lot more than what was seized on the particular closure dates.”

Police also seized several weapons including handguns, rifles and shotguns.

“Any person in possession of illegal firearms, particularly those who have alleged to be involved in drug crime, is always important to us,” said Senior Sergeant Eaton.

Investigators seized over $200,000 in cash during the operation.

“Like always, it’s not just the drugs,” said Senior Sergeant Eaton.

“We know that drugs are often the root cause behind armed robberies, home invasions and even all the way down to break and enters, so it’s not just the drug network that we’re targeting, it also has a flow on effect into serious violent crime as well as property crime.”

On August 8, 9 and 10 officers arrested the alleged main targets of this operation through a series of raids conducted across the Mackay District.

On August 10, investigators executed a search warrant at a Habana address and located and seized five cannabis plants and equipment for drug production.

During the operation, 52 people were charged with a total of 239 offences.

“Operation ‘Tango Muscatel’ re-enforces that Queensland police will continue to target people involved in the distribution of dangerous drugs, particularly those in organised criminal networks

Five cannabis plants and equipment for drug production were seized from Habana address on August 10. Photo supplied: Queensland Police

Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Eaton says Queensland police will continue to target people involved in the distribution of dangerous drugs. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

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