May 6, 2014

Fourteen people have been charged with a total of 35 offences following a series of police raids in the Kingaroy, Nanango and Booie areas on Thursday and Friday last week.

Uniformed police and detectives from Kingaroy joined police officers from Nanango, Blackbutt, Kumbia, the Tactical Crime Unit from Toowoomba and the Brisbane Dog Unit to carry out the raids, dubbed “Operation Mousetrap”.

The police conducted searches of 19 premises, based on police intelligence gathering and tips from the general public.

Officer-in-Charge of Kingaroy police, Senior Sergeant Duane Frank, said there were connections between some of the people charged.

Police say they seized a total of 1.2kg of cannabis during the operation.

A stolen motorbike was also recovered at a house in Moonya Street, Kingaroy. A man at this address has been charged with possessing drugs and stealing.

Other raids included:

  • Haly Street, Kingaroy – a man has been charged with possessing drugs and drug items
  • Parkside Drive, Kingaroy – a woman has been charged with possessing drugs and drug utensils
  • Murray Parade, Kingaroy – a man and a woman have been charged with possessing drugs, drug utensils, possessing a controlled substance and failing to dispose of a syringe
  • Windsor Circle, Kingaroy – a man and a woman have been charged with producing dangerous drugs, supplying dangerous drugs, possessing drugs and drug items
  • Arthur Street, Kingaroy – a woman has been charged with possessing dnagerous drugs and possessing drug utensils
  • Raymond Road, Tarong – two men have been charged with producing and possessing dangerous drugs

The 14 people charged will appear in Kingaroy Magistrates Court.

“This operation is the culmination of a lot of work and effort by local police to specifically target drug offences,” Snr Sgt Frank said.

“Police will be relentless in their pursuit of drug offenders, particularly those who wish to produce and supply drugs to other people.

“This sends a strong message to people who wish to engage in this behaviour that eventually police will be knocking on your door.

“Police rely heavily on information from community members.

“People who are willing to assist police will see results, such as what has occurred as the outcome of this operation.”

Snr Sgt Frank said police had gathered more information as the result of Operation Mousetrap which would be assessed and could lead to the apprehension of more people in future.