March 3, 2020
Sixty-three people have been charged with drug offences after five-month police investigation in Blackbutt, Yarraman, Nanango and Kingaroy.
Operation Butza began in September last year.
Since then, police executed multiple search warrants, conducted vehicle intercepts, used covert surveillance and carried out other tactical actions across the region.
Police will allege methamphetamine and cannabis worth almost $240,000 was located during raids on several properties.
Illegal firearms and stolen property were also allegedly located.
Sixty-three people were charged with a total of 370 drug, property and weapon-related offences.
Th charges included drug trafficking, supply and possession; burglary and property-related offences.
Acting Detective Superintendent Mat Kelly said the community continues to consume illicit drugs at concerning levels, particularly in regional areas.
“This drug use has changed the very fabric of rural communities, resulting in more crime and devastating families,” Supt Kelly said.
“These results reinforce the necessity to employ a joint approach between regional and specialist practitioners that targets supply, demand and harm reduction.
“These types of operations are a co-operative effort, aimed at reducing harm posed by illicit drugs within rural areas, and are a great win for police and the community.”
Information about drug dealing can be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800-333-000.
