Brisbane’s drug trade has been disrupted following the arrest of 25 people on almost 250 charges as Operation Sierra Stallion draws to a close.
Investigations into the supply chain revealed a sophisticated network of shopfront businesses on Brisbane’s northside being used to launder funds from the drug supply, paying known drug suppliers ‘wages’. Police will allege the group laundered in excess of $1.5 million dollars across the 18-month investigation.
Ten people were subsequently charged with drug trafficking and money laundering offences.
Detectives executed a number of search warrants and intercepts on Friday March 18, seizing 1kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of $400,000, two firearms including one shotgun and 10kgs of cannabis and over $65,000 in cash.
Acting Detective Inspector Chris Toohey, Gateway Crime Group, who oversaw the operation said police had worked through the pandemic to ensure the disruption of major and organised crime.
“Our message is clear, if you do the wrong thing, the law will catch up with you and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent,” Acting Detective Inspector Toohey said.
“Two detectives underlook the lion’s share of the operation’s work and they can be very proud of their acheivements in reducing drug related harm in our community.
“Without the support of our partner agencies, this result would not have been possible.”
A 46-year-old Little Mountain man was charged with one count of drug trafficking, one count of permitting use of place, eight counts of money laundering, three counts of producing dangerous drugs, and 23 charges relating to the possession and supply of dangerous drugs and property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence. He appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday March 19 and and was granted bail to reappear on May 9.
A 47-year-old Doonan man was charged with one count of drug trafficking, eight counts of money laundering, five counts of producing dangerous drugs, one count of permitting use of place, 27 charges of supply dangerous drugs, five charges of produce dangerous drugs, 14 charges of possess dangerous drugs, and possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence. He appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday March 19 and and was granted bail to appear on May 9 at Richlands Magistrates Court.
A 41-year-old Hendra man was charged with one count of drug trafficking, one count of producing dangerous drugs and18 charges relating to the possession and supply of dangerous drugs and property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence. He appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday March 19 and and was granted bail to reappear on May 9.
A 32-year-old Ascot man was charged with one count of drug trafficking, one count of money laundering, one count of dealing with identification information, 22 supply of dangerous drugs charges, two possession of dangerous drugs charges (exceeding schedule 3) and three unrelated traffic offences. He appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday March 19 and and was granted bail to reappear on May 9.
A 28-year-old Fortitude Valley man was charged with one count of money laundering, one count of drug trafficking, two charges of supply dangerous drugs, six charges of possess dangerous drugs and property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence. He appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday March 19 and remanded in custody to reappear on March 31.
A 48-year-old South Brisbane man was charged with one count of drug trafficking, one count of produce dangerous drugs , seven counts of supply dangerous drugs and eight charges for possession of dangerous drugs and one count of property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence. He appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday March 19 and and was granted bail to reappear on May 16.
A 34-year-old Robina man was charged with one count of drug trafficking, one count of offence to buy medicines or poisons, four counts of possess dangerous drug, four supply of dangerous drugs charges and property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence. He appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday March 19 and and was granted bail to reappear on May 16.
A 36-year-old Carina man was charged with one count of money laundering and one count of drug trafficking, one count of produce dangerous drug, four counts of supply dangerous drug, four possession of dangerous drugs charges and property suspected of being the proceeds of an offences. He appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday March 19 and and was granted bail to reappear on May 16.
A 30-year-old Springfield Lakes man was charged with one count of drug trafficking and six charges relating to the possession and supply of dangerous drugs and property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence. He appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday March 19 and and was remanded in custody to reappear on May 16.
A 37-year-old Spring Mountain man was charged with one count of drug trafficking, one count of produce dangerous drugs, two counts of supply dangerous drugs, two weapons charges and one count of possess explosives (ammunition) and charges relating to the possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence. He appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday March 19 and and was remanded in custody to reappear on May 16 this year.
