Warwick area link to major drug busts

Queensland Police say as part of an ongoing successful operation targeting the production, distribution and trafficking of cannabis, seven people have been charged and over $5,000,000 worth of cannabis seized.

A Police Media statement released earlier today, Friday 29 March, says Operation Papa Cider, an ongoing operation conducted by the State Crime Command’s Drug and Serious Crime Group, has already resulted in many arrests, including the arrest of two people and the seizure of $1,350,000 worth of cannabis seized from growhouses in Moorooka, Upper Mount Gravatt and Annerley in Brisbane on June 15 last year.

On Tuesday of this week, 26 March, detectives from the Drug and Serious Crime Group, assisted by members of the Warwick CIB and the Toowoomba Dog Squad executed a search warrant at a Kessler Road, Old Talgai address, near Leyburn north-west of Warwick.

“During the search, police located 1825 cannabis plants with an estimated value of $4,562,500 and over 139 kilograms of dried cannabis with a value of $918,000,” the police statement said.

“Three people were arrested at this location and were charged with production and possession of dangerous drugs.

“Representatives from the Australian Border Force (ABF) attended to conduct migration status checks and to interview persons of interest, and also to check for other border-related offences.

“The ABF confirmed that two of the individuals were unlawful non-citizens and one was working in breach of a bridging visa.

“On Wednesday, March 27, a 48-year-old woman, two men both aged 46 and a 45-year-old man were arrested following the interception of vehicles in the Leyburn area.

“Four of the offenders were charged at the Warwick watchhouse and held in custody to appear before the Warwick Magistrates Court on Thursday morning.”

Detective Superintendent Jon Wacker of the Drug and Serious Crime Group said Operation Papa Cider was “about more than just the production and trafficking of dangerous drugs on our streets”.

“We have been working closely with our partners at the ABF and the Australian Federal Police to target the exploitation of unlawful non-citizens for the sole purpose of producing and manufacturing these drugs,” he said.

“Our approach is to target the high level distributor who is reaping lucrative benefits from an illicit drug all the while removing themselves from the crime and reinvesting the profits into other illicit activities directly impacting on our community.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.

You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.