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Thursday, February 3, 2011

Australia - Police crack crime syndicate

OFF THE WIRE

northern-times.whereilive.com.au
OPERATION SURGE: Police executed search warrants on eight addresses in the Caboolture, Kallangur and Bribie Island areas today.


NINE people have today been charged following an 18-month operation targeting a large scale vehicle and boat theft and rebirthing syndicate, and drug distribution operating throughout the Moreton Bay region.
Police from the Organised Crime Investigation Unit State Crime Operations Command and the North Coast Region today closed Operation Surge 2 a joint operation conducted by members of the State Crime Operations Command Organised Crime Investigation Unit’s Vehicle Crime Team and the North Coast Police Region.
Today, police executed search warrants on eight addresses in the Caboolture, Kallangur and Bribie Island areas.
During the operation, police recovered $1.2 million worth of stolen vehicles, boats, motor homes and heavy machinery.
Throughout the operation, a number of people were charged with the theft of vehicles and vessels as well as multiple drug offences.
This includes 18 persons charged with 61 offences including trafficking, supply, production and possession of dangerous drugs.
Police allege some of those charged are members or associates of an outlaw motorcycle gang.
Today, nine people were charged with thirty-four offences.
``Operation Surge 2 commenced as a result of a proactive investigation to target an organised criminal network allegedly committing vehicle rebirthing and drug trafficking offences,’’ Detective Superintendent Gayle Hogan of the Organised Crime Group said.
``The 18-month joint investigation between the Organised Crime Investigation Unit SCOC and the North Coast Region significantly dismantled this network.’’
Anyone with information which could assist police with their investigations should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppers.com.au.
CHARGE SHEET

- Burpengary man, 36, charged with: trafficking dangerous drug, 3x supply dangerous drug, 4 x UUMV (4 separate vehicles), possess thing used in commission of drug offence, unlawful possession of motor vessel.

- Petrie man, 29: trafficking dangerous drug, produce dangerous drugs, supply dangerous drugs, possess tainted property.

- Kallangur man, 24: trafficking dangerous drug, 3 x supply dangerous drugs.

- Morayfield man, 24: 3x supply dangerous drugs, possess utensil, 2 x possess weapons.

- Burpengary woman, 22: supply dangerous drugs.

- Morayfield man: 2 x supply dangerous drugs, possess dangerous drugs.

- Deception Bay woman, 18: possess dangerous drug, possess utensil. Drug diverted.

Details unavailable for the remaining two.