Joint media release - Customs and Border Protection, Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Queensland Police 

The Queensland Police Service (QPS) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) with the assistance of the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service have today completed a six month operation targeting the manufacturing and trafficking of dangerous drugs throughout the North Coast, Southern and South Eastern areas of Queensland.

The joint operation involved officers from the QPS North Coast Region (with the assistance of investigators from State Crime Operations Command, South Eastern Region and Southern Region), the AFP and intelligence and border enforcement officers from the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.

Conducted using a range of investigative strategies the operation (codenamed QPS Operation Peppe and Operation Nape and AFP Operation Cadence) commenced in October 2008.

This morning police executed search warrants on addresses in Toowoomba and on the Gold and Sunshine coasts. Thirty-six people have already been charged (on 82 charges) in relation to the alleged possession of drugs, money, firearms and clandestine laboratory equipment.

It will be alleged the joint agency operation has dismantled a large methamphetamine trafficking network operating throughout the North Coast, Southern and South Eastern areas of Queensland.

North Coast Region Operations Coordinator, Acting Chief Superintendent Ben Hanbidge said the operation demonstrates the Queensland Police Service's approach to targeting the production, distribution and supply of illicit drugs.

"Amphetamines are quite simply dangerous and potentially lethal drugs. We are constantly working to prevent these and other illicit drugs from reaching the community and causing serious harm. 

This joint operation has demonstrated the effectiveness of multi-agency operations in targeting this insidious cycle," Acting Chief Superintendent Hanbidge said.

AFP Manager of the Brisbane office Commander Brian McDonald said the operation was a significant achievement. 

"This is an exceptional outcome for law enforcement as it continues to work together to dismantle drug syndicates and prevent drugs from reaching the streets of Australia."

Detective Superintendent John Pointing of the Queensland Police Service State Crime Operations Command State Drug and Property Crime Group said "Today's operation has allegedly uncovered production and distribution links to four outlaw motorcycle gangs,'.

Media enquiries:
AFP Media   (02) 6275 7100
Customs and Border Protection Media  (02) 6275 6793
QLD Police Media  (07) 3015 2444