Two Gold Coast men have been charged with drug trafficking offences following a major cross-border investigation targeting the supply of dangerous drugs.
The pair were arrested yesterday at a carpark in Carrara as part of a sting by Police.
It follows extensive investigations into the alleged trafficking of methylamphetamine, cocaine and heroin between Northern New South Wales and southeast Queensland.
The men, aged 33 and 32, attended the carpark allegedly with the intention of meeting a person who they believed would be purchasing dangerous drugs.
Instead, they were met with a bunch of detectives and specialist police.
Police allege the 33-year-old attempted to run from the scene and was eventually caught following a short foot chase, while a 32-year-old man was taken into custody in the driver’s seat of an Audi.
At the scene, approximately 360 grams of heroin and 150 grams of cocaine was seized along with a quantity of cash and several mobile phones.
Police then raided a number of homes in Mermaid Waters, Broadbeach, Southport and Mermaid Beach along with a storage facility at Surfers Paradise and vehicle at Varsity Lakes.
At Mermaid Waters approximately $64,500 in cash was located along with a quantity of heroin, steroids and prescription medication.
At Broadbeach, a quantity of cash, prescription medication, drug utensils and approximately 260 grams of cocaine were located.
At Mermaid Waters, approximately 6.7 kilograms of cannabis, prescription medications and drug utensils were seized.
Body-cam footage has been released of the arrests of the two men, as well as the property raids.
WATCH:
The 33-year-old man has been charged with three counts of trafficking dangerous drugs, four counts of possessing dangerous drugs and two counts of possess or receive property obtained from trafficking dangerous drugs.
The 32-year-old man has been charged with three counts of trafficking dangerous drugs, four counts of possessing dangerous drugs, three counts of possess anything used in the commission of a crime and two counts of possess or receive property obtained from trafficking dangerous drugs.
Both men were remanded in custody and are expected to appear before Southport Magistrates Court today.
Seven simultaneous search warrants were executed by NSWPF in the Northern Rivers and Sydney areas, at residences allegedly linked to the syndicate.
A further four people were charged by NSWPF with drug offences to appear before Tweed Heads Local Court today.
QPS Drug and Serious Crime Group Detective Acting Superintendent Melissa Anderson says they will continue to work relentlessly to target criminal syndicates and keep the community safe.
“Organised crime knows no borders and has no regard for impacts on innocent and vulnerable members of the public,” Detective Acting Superintendent Anderson says.
“I commend all officers involved in this complex and covert joint operation and warn anyone who thinks they can get away with putting these addictive and devastating drugs on our streets, to expect police at your door next.”
Investigations remain ongoing.
