Detectives have charged a 55-year-old Newstead man with drug offences on Saibai Island, in the Torres Strait.
It will be alleged around 4pm on Tuesday, December 7, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers located a man on Main Street at Saibai Island.
The man was located with two suitcases and stated he was intending to travel to Papua New Guinea.
It will be alleged police located prescription drugs, steroids, growth hormones and drug paraphernalia in the suitcases.
The man has been charged with seven counts of possession of a dangerous drug and five counts of possession of schedule four medicines.
The man was also charged with three counts of fraud relating to allegedly fraudulently obtaining money from a gym in Mackay between July and November 2018.
The man appeared in the Thursday Island Magistrates Court on Friday and was remanded in custody to appear at Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday, June 13.
The Queensland Police Service would like to thank ABF and the Australian Federal Police for their assistance in this matter.
Acting Detective Sergeant Nathaniel Carlton, Officer in Charge, Thursday Island CIB said the collaborative response from the three agencies prevented the man from unlawfully leaving the country and bringing him before the courts on serious charges.
“This incident acknowledged the strength of the relationships with our federal partners,’ he said.
Inspector Nicholas O’Brien, Torres Strait Patrol Group said this was an outstanding success, demonstrating the strength of state and federal agencies working together to protect the community.
“Whilst the offence location is considered remote and isolated, protective measures in place have worked,” he said.
“All agencies acknowledge the great support being provided by the communities of Torres Strait.”
ABF Commander Colin Drysdale also praised the joint-agency response leading to this result.
“The ABF’s increased posture and vigilance in the Torres Strait is primarily focused on preventing COVID-19 entering vulnerable communities. However as this incident highlights, our officers are also alert to potential attempts to illegally circumvent border controls when departing Australia.”
