Three cannabis growhouses and $1.9m worth of drugs have been located as police close Operation Papa Cider with multiple search warrants across the Gold Coast.
Over the past two days, police from State Crime Command’s State Drug Squad executed ten search warrants across residential premises and storage facilities targeting a crime gang trafficking cannabis across southeast Queensland.
Detectives have charged five people on 109 charges and seized 594 cannabis plants with a value of $1,485,000. Police also seized 64kg of dried cannabis valued at $426,383.
As part of the operation, police yesterday searched a Pacific Pines address and located a quantity of chemicals believed to be used in the production of cannabis.
The search of a Surfers Paradise unit resulted in the location of two people believed to be involved in the trafficking of the drugs, along with a large quantity of cash. A search of a vehicle at the premises resulted in the location of a quantity of cannabis.
Police also searched two units on Peninsula Drive, Surfers Paradise and a storage facility on Central Park Avenue, Ashmore and located persons believed to be involved in the distribution network as well as cannabis.
At a Wallaby Drive, Mudgeeraba address police located the first cannabis growhouse. The house’s eight rooms had been converted specifically for the production of hydroponic cannabis. In total police located 158 cannabis plants (valued at over $155,000), a large quantity of dried cannabis as well as items used in the production of the drugs, including lighting equipment, filters, irrigation equipment and chemicals.
At a Yarrimba, Drive Nerang address police located a second growhouse containing 209 plants. The house, had also been converted with the sole intention of producing hydroponic cannabis. A quantity of dried cannabis valued at over $116,000 as well as equipment and chemicals were located at the scene.
A third growhouse was located at a Leyshon Court, Bonogin address. Police located 227 plants within the converted dwelling, as well as equipment, dried cannabis and chemicals.
Five people have been charged including a 45-year-old woman, a 57-year-old woman, 44-year-old woman, a 30-year-old man and a 32-year-old man. All have been charged with multiple offences including trafficking, producing and possession of dangerous drugs offences. All were due to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court this morning. They are due to reappear on June 21, 2019.
Police also searched two storage sheds this morning in Ormeau and Gaven and located cannabis and equipment used in the production of hydroponic cannabis.
Investigations are ongoing.
