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[OZ] Police continue war against drugs
Fri Aug 13, 2004 12:28pm
209.86.134.70
Police continue war against drugs
By Phil Bartsch
14aug04
THE war continues against the alleged drug activities of outlaw
motorcycle gangs on the Gold Coast.
Gun-toting plain-clothes detectives wearing bullet-proof vests
swooped on several homes on the Coast yesterday in dawn raids
which netted a smorgasbord of illicit drugs. They included
various quantities of cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, ecstasy and
cannabis.
Six people were charged with 15 drug-related and property
offences in the raids, which were the culmination of a four-month
investigation, Operation Charlie Basic.
"We believe that a number of these people have links to
OMCGs (outlaw motorcycle gangs) and we are definitely conducting
further inquiries in relation to that," Detective Inspector
Ken Bemi of Gold Coast CIB said.
One of the alleged offenders photographed by The Courier-Mail had
"Finks M.C." tattooed across his left forearm.
Police allegedly seized a 9mm handgun and a small quantity of
amphetamines from the 30-year-old man's Mermaid Waters home. He
remained handcuffed as detectives and a police dog scoured the
property, which was equipped with a surveillance system,
including several security cameras.
Police later charged the man with unlawful possession of a
dangerous drug and a concealable firearm.
Four other premises at Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach Waters,
Bonogin and Benowa were simultaneously raided about 6am.
Three of the alleged offenders – two 34-year-old men and a
20-year-old woman – were charged with possession of drugs
and tainted property at a high- rise apartment in Surfers
Paradise.
Cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, 150 ecstasy tablets and $24,000
cash were allegedly found in the apartment.
A 29-year-old man, from Bonogin, west of Burleigh Heads, was
charged with possession of a stolen jetski and small quantities
of heroin and cannabis.
Police also arrested a Broadbeach Waters man, 27, for drug
possession. He also was wanted on a Supreme Court warrant.
About 30 detectives from Brisbane Crime Operations and the Gold
Coast CIB were involved in yesterday's raids.
"We're very happy with the results and we certainly believe
our actions will have disrupted drug manufacture and distribution
on the Gold Coast," Insp Bemi said.
"Any unlawful activity whether it be organised or otherwise
certainly won't be tolerated on the Gold Coast. It's only a
matter of time, if people persist in these unlawful activities,
that they will be caught
