Operation Victor Ignite on Sunshine Coast

Police have arrested 40 people for drug and property offenses as part of Operation Victor Ignite, targeting drug trafficking on the Sunshine Coast.

The lengthy drug operation ended on May 23, after the Sunshine Coast Drug and Serious Crime Task Force laid 25 drug trafficking charges and 167 other drug and property-related charges.

During the 18-month operation, also supported by officers from Crime and Intelligence Command and Taskforce Maxima, 24 search warrants were executed at homes and businesses on the Sunshine Coast and one in Brisbane, where the Police seized a large quantity of drugs, including cocaine. , MDMA, ketamine and cannabis.

Police also located and seized four high-end vehicles, a boat valued at $30,000 and several firearms, including a loaded semi-automatic pistol.

A large and sophisticated dropsical cannabis grow was also located during a search of a property in Kunda Park.

Officer in Charge of the Sunshine Coast Criminal Investigation Branch, Acting Senior Sergeant Chris Duhig, said Operation Victor Ignite is a fight against drugs and organized crime.

“This operation targeted the high-end supply of dangerous drugs from organized crime syndicates and sends a clear message that drugs are not welcome on the streets of the Sunshine Coast,” he said.

“I thank the officers involved for their extensive investigative work and tireless efforts to end the supply of illicit drugs to our community.

“While this concludes Operation Victor Ignite, police continue to investigate drug trafficking on the Sunshine Coast and I would encourage anyone with information that could help them to contact police.”

A search warrant conducted on May 21 at an address in Meridan Plains resulted in the indictment of a 48-year-old Merdian Plains man with three counts of possession of dangerous drugs, two counts of trafficking dangerous drugs and possession of objects used in the commission of a crime, and one count each of the receipt or possession of property obtained by trafficking or supply, of the contravention of the order concerning the information necessary for access electronically sorted information, illegal possession of weapons, manufacturing, selling, supplying, obtaining or possessing slot machines and authority to possess explosives.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to reappear at Maroochydore Magistrates Court on August 2.

The search warrant also resulted in the indictment of a 20-year-old Meridan Plains man with four counts of possession of dangerous drugs, two counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs and receipt or possession of property obtained through trafficking or supply, and one count each of possession of any item used. in the commission of a felony, unlawful possession of weapons, violation of an order regarding information necessary to access electronically stored information, violation of purchasing or possessing dangerous drugs or poisons, authority required to possess explosives and manufacturing , sale, supply, obtaining or possession of games of chance Machines.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to reappear at Maroochydore Magistrates Court on August 2.

A Mercedes Benz was also seized from this property.

A search warrant at a second Meridan Plains address on May 21 resulted in a 23-year-old Meridan Plains man being charged with one count each of trafficking in dangerous drugs, possession of dangerous drugs, possession of 'objects used in the commission of a crime and possession of utensils. or pipes that had been used.

He is due to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on July 4.

A search warrant at an address in Birtinya on May 21 resulted in a 17-year-old boy from Birtinya being charged with two counts of possession of dangerous drugs and one count each of supplying dangerous drugs, possession of anything used in the commission of a crime and possession of property. suspected of being used in connection with the commission of a drug offense and required authority to possess explosives.

He is due to appear at Maroochydore Children's Court on May 29.

The search warrant also resulted in an 18-year-old Birtinya man being charged with trafficking dangerous drugs, possessing items used in the commission of a crime, breaching an information order for access to information stored electronically and possession of property suspected of having been used in the commission of a drug offense.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to reappear at Maroochydore Magistrates Court on May 27.