June 4, 2026
South Burnett residents are being urged to step up and share information to Crime Stoppers about drug dealing – and drug use – in the region.
The latest push is part of “Operation Tutela”, which was launched on Thursday in Kingaroy, which aims to reduce crime in the South Burnett by tackling the root cause of many offences.
Operation Tutela will focus on disrupting the supply and distribution of drugs, identifying the people involved in supplying drugs, and addressing related crimes.
Police link the use of illegal drugs to thefts, break-and-enters, unlawful use of motor vehicles and domestic violence.
Acting Superintendent Kelly Hanlen, from the Darling Downs Police District, joined with Acting Inspector Chris Donovan, from the South Burnett Patrol Group, and Crime Stoppers CEO David Hansen at Kingaroy Police Station to urge residents to use Crime Stoppers.
Acting Supt Hanlen said police understood that reporting information about drugs directly to police could be daunting.
But she said Crime Stoppers provided anonymity for people to provide this very valuable “intel” to police.
During the recent four-day Operation Lionrock, police arrested 31 people on 94 charges; of these 24 were drug-related.
“The most effective way to combat drug offending is through a partnership between police and the community,” Acting Supt Hanlen said.
“When residents report suspicious activity, they provide valuable information that helps us target offenders and prevent further harm.”
Mr Hansen said many people believed Crime Stoppers actually were police but they were really an independent charity organisation whose sole function was to pass on information.
“We exist to allow you, the community to provide information … you don’t need to tell us who you are,” he said.
“If you see something, say it.”
He said Crime Stoppers worked hard to ensure anonymity was maintained. Filters stripped off IP addresses from emails and meta data from photos, and the organisation maintained a separate phone system which does not track caller IDs.
“We work really closely with police, and we value that partnership, but we are independent and there’s only one reason for that … anonymity,” he said.
- Crime Stoppers Queensland can be contacted on 1800-333-000 or online
* * *
Raw video supplied by the QPS of recent arrests in the South Burnett:
1. On May 27, officers executed a search warrant at a house in Bell Street, Cherbourg, where they allegedly located 12 bags of methylamphetamine. A 37-year-old Cherbourg woman has been charged with supplying dangerous drugs, possessing anything for use in the commission of a crime, and possessing drug utensils. She is due to appear in Murgon Magistrates Court on June 30 June.
2. About 7:20pm on May 12, officers were conducting patrols on Aerodrome Road in Kingaroy when they intercepted a 2008 Ford Territory. When officers searched the vehicle, they allegedly located a quantity of methylamphetamine in a clip seal bag along with drug paraphernalia. A 52-year-old Ellesmere man has been charged with possessing dangerous drugs, failing to take reasonable care and precautions in respect of syringe or needle, and unlicensed driving. He has been issued with a Notice to Appear in Kingaroy Magistrates Court on June 10.
3. On May 13, police conducted a search warrant on an address in Scott Street, Nanango, and allegedly located methylamphetamine, steroids and drug utensils. A 23-year-old Goomeri man has been charged with two counts of possessing dangerous drugs and one count of possessing utensils. He has been issued with a Notice To Appear in Nanango Magistrates Court on June 11.
