One kilogram of heroin, cash and firearms seized on the Gold Coast in joint investigation
This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police, the Queensland Police Service and Australian Border Force
**Editor’s note: Images from this investigation can be downloaded via Hightail
A joint Queensland Police, Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF) investigation has resulted in the arrest of a Robina (Queensland) man, charged in connection with attempting to import a kilogram of heroin into Queensland.
Officers from the ABF, in Sydney had recently detected the heroin which had been sent through the international mail stream.
As part of a joint agency investigation into the supply of drugs and firearms into Queensland, police conducted searches on Monday (20 April 2021) at a Robina residence where a 20-year-old man was arrested and charged with multiple drug and weapon offences.
During the search of the man’s residence and vehicle, police allegedly located and seized a .22 calibre pistol with silencer, a sawn-off 410 shotgun, ammunition, $42650 in cash, and quantities of MDMA and cocaine.
The investigation commenced after an illicit substance was detected inside a consignment seized at the border which forensic testing identified as heroin.
Investigators will allege the man attempted to import the heroin, which has an estimated street value in excess of $500 000.
He was charged with 10 offences including: importing a marketable quantity of heroin, possessing marketable quantities of border controlled drugs, possessing proceeds of crime, possession of unlicenced weapons, possession of a shortened weapon and possession of a silencer.
He appeared at the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday (21 April).
Detective Senior Sergeant Brad Phelps from the Crime and Intelligence Command’s Drug and Serious Crime Group said the charges reflect the combined agencies’ ongoing commitment to disrupting the flow of border-controlled drugs and illicit items into the Queensland community.
“The nature of this alleged offending is very concerning and our investigations are continuing into criminal group links.
“Removing drugs and weapons such as these from the community is particularly important due to the harms they cause. I encourage anyone with information relating to persons involved in drug trafficking, money laundering and unlawful possession of weapons to contact Crime Stoppers,” Detective Senior Sergeant Brad Phelps said.
Australian Federal Police Detective Acting Inspector Scott Curtis said the AFP works with law enforcement partners to detect and disrupt organised crime wherever it appears.
“Our message to organised crime, their members and their associates is clear – the AFP and our partners will be relentless. We will outsmart you. And we will always be a step ahead,” Detective Acting Inspector Curtis said.
ABF Acting Commander Port Operations East, Brendan Slape, said the case highlighted again the achievements of law enforcement agencies when they work closely together.
“The ABF works tirelessly with our domestic and international partners to target this kind of serious crime and to hold those responsible to account. Today’s arrest shows that alleged criminals will face the full legal consequences for their actions. The ABF is focused on protecting the Australian community in this way,” Acting Commander Slape said.
Media enquiries:
AFP Media: (02) 5126 9297
QPS Media: (07) 3015 2444
ABF Media: (02) 6264 2211