Detectives from the Drug and Serious Crime Group have charged five people after a commercial scale clandestine drug lab was located at Park Ridge, on Tuesday, October 22.
A search warrant was executed at the Park Ridge home following extensive joint Queensland Police Service (QPS) and Australian Border Force (ABF) investigations, as part of Operation Whiskey Vivid.
During the search detectives located approximately two kilograms of crystallised methylamphetamines (‘ice’), approximately five litres of methylamphetamine oil, three firearms including a semi-automatic rifle and two handguns, and a significant sum of cash at the property.
Based on the items and chemicals located, it will be alleged the lab was used to produce commercial quantities of methylamphetamine and had the capacity to produce multiple kilogram batches at a time.
It is alleged the group was involved in coordinating the production and distribution of illegal drugs in Queensland and interstate.
Specialist officers from the Synthetic Drug Operations Unit (SDOU) attended the location to safely process the site and dismantle the lab.
A second search warrant at a Rocklea business also uncovered a number of items of interest, including cash, a cash counting machine and ammunition.
A 31-year-old Park Ridge man and a 31-year-old Park Ridge woman has been charged with one count each of producing dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs, possessing anything used in the commission of crime, possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence, possess property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence, authority required to possess explosives, two counts of possessing relevant substances or things and three counts of possession of weapons category D/H/R weapon.
A 32-year-old South Ripley man has been charged with one count each of producing dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs, possessing anything used in the commission of crime, possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence, possess property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence, possessing dangerous drugs schedule 1 drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 4 and two counts of possessing relevant substances or things.
A 42-year-old Doolandella man and 32-year-old Inala man has been charged with one count each of producing dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs, possessing anything used in the commission of crime, possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence, possess property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence and three counts of possessing relevant substances or things.
They are expected in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court today.
Drug and Serious Crime Group Detective Inspector Bradley Phelps said dedicated detectives within State Drug Squad work closely with partner agencies such as the ABF and interstate police to target these organised syndicates in order to reduce the impacts these highly addictive and dangerous drugs cause to the community.
“A clandestine lab of this scale can produce significant quantities of methylamphetamine which has the potential to cause untold community harm,” Detective Inspector Phelps said.
“Our officers will continue to do everything they can to detect and disrupt this kind of offending.”
Investigations are ongoing.
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