Day one of Operation Whiskey Legion’s (OWL) return to Ipswich has wrapped up with 29 people charged on 166 offences.
A 39-year-old Leichhardt woman has been charged with 114 of those offences following the closure of a protracted investigation into alleged drug supply.
Shortly after 10am on November 7, OWL investigators with the support of Ipswich Criminal Investigation Branch, conducted a search warrant of a Leichhardt property.
It will be alleged officers located a quantity of dangerous drugs including methylamphetamine, gamma-hydroxybutyrate and cannabis, in addition to fireworks, knives, a taser device, glass and water pipes allegedly used to smoke dangerous drugs, scales allegedly used to weight drugs, and jewellery alleged to have been obtained through the commission of crime.
The woman has been charged with 97 counts of supply (methylamphetamine, gamma-hydroxybutyrate and cannabis), three counts each of possess dangerous drug and breach of bail, and one count each of trafficking in dangerous drugs, contravene direct requirement by police (identifying particulars), possession of property suspected of being in the proceeds of an offence under the Drugs Misuse Act (jewellery), obstruct police officer, offence to buy or possess S4 or S8 medicines (possessed assorted medicines without reasonable excuse), authority required to possess explosives (fireworks), unlawful possession of weapons Category R (taser device), unlawful possession of weapons Category M (knives), possess property suspected or having being used in connection with the commission of a drug offence (container of scale weights), possess pipes that had been used and possess anything used in the commission of a crime defined in Part 2 (mobile phone).
She was refused bail and is expected to appear before Ipswich Magistrates Court today, November 8.
The first day of the operation’s return to Ipswich also saw police focus on strengthening road safety, with highway patrol conducting 217 random roadside breath tests, three random drug tests, and issuing 41 traffic infringement notices.
Ipswich police placed an emphasis on connecting with the community throughout the first day of the operation, engaging with 53 community and business members.
Police also engaged with 43 victims and referred 6 people onto support services.
Operation Commander, Detective Inspector Michael Manago, says the surge of police has seen a fantastic result from its first day and it is expected these positive results will continue throughout the deployment.
“Illicit drugs and supplying illicit drugs have no place in the Ipswich community,” said Detective Inspector Manago.
“Specialist units and our local officers will continue to crack down on these offences throughout OWL’s deployment and post-deployment to keep the community safe.”
“As this operation unfolds, we will continue to target those causing the most harm to our community, continue building relationships with locals, and continue to support our most vulnerable people.”
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