AUSTRALIA - Police arrest 37 in bikie drug crackdown

OFF THE WIRE
A POLICE operation spanning nine months targeting bikie gangs and illicit drugs has ended today with 14 Gold Coasters arrested.

Operation Ice Vulcan began in January and Taskforce Hydra has claimed it as one of their biggest successes to date.

More than 200 charges have been laid against 37 people from the Gold Coast, Logan and Ipswich.

Detective Inspector Garry Watts confirmed it was the Finks Motorcycle Club at the centre of the investigation.

''Two of the people arrested are Finks members and the rest are known associates,'' he said.

The 14 Gold Coasters charged will appear in Southport Magistrates Court tomorrow.

Today, police executed more than 30 search warrants at residential and business premises located on the Gold Coast, Logan and Ipswich.

During the search police allegedly seized 66 litres of precursor chemicals, GHB, methylamphetamine, glassware, a taser and an amount of money.

"We are committed to seeking out and prosecuting those involved in this type of criminal activity and continue to implement strategies to minimise both the threat OMCGs pose to the community and the risk of drugs like GHB and methylamphetamine reaching our streets," said Insp Watts.

The ABC journalist covering the operation, Imogen Brennan, was reportedly hit in the face by a man at Mount Nathan, near Nerang, and the keys of an ABC car stolen.

Brennan later tweeted, "Thank you for your concern. No journalist likes being part of the story".

But Insp Watts said he had no knowledge of the incident, or the address.

"It's my understanding that no one was assaulted at any of the locations that we actually executed search warrants on today," he said.

A police officer was treated for a cut to the hand caused by broken glass.

Police raids are ongoing and further charges are expected as investigations continue.

Preliminary charges from today's raids:

A 37-year-old female from Carrara has been charged with trafficking in a dangerous drug, sell/supply a dangerous drug and will appear in the Southport Magistrates Court tomorrow.
A 29-year-old man from Carrara has been charged with trafficking in a dangerous drug, sell/supply a dangerous drug, possession of a dangerous drug, possess weapon and 7 disqualified driving charges. He will appear in the Southport Magistrates Court tomorrow.
A 24-year-old man from Mt Warren Park has been charged with sell/supply dangerous drug and will appear in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court tomorrow.
A 43-year-old man from Loganlea has been charged with trafficking in a dangerous drug, sell/supply a dangerous drug and will appear in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court tomorrow.
A 41-year-old man from Loganholme has been charged with trafficking in a dangerous drug, sell/supply a dangerous drug and will appear in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court tomorrow.
A 35-year-old man from Nerang has been charged with sell/supply a dangerous drug and will appear in the Southport Magistrates Court tomorrow.
A 40-year-old man from Ipswich has been charged with trafficking in dangerous drug, sell/supply dangerous drug, possession of a dangerous drug, possess property suspected stolen and will appear in the Southport Magistrates Court tomorrow.
A 31-year-old woman from Loganlea has been charged with trafficking in a dangerous drug, produce dangerous drug, sell/supply dangerous drug and will appear in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court tomorrow.
A 31-year-old man from Loganlea has been charged with produce dangerous drug, possession of a dangerous drug and will appear in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court tomorrow.
A 38-year-old woman from Mermaid Waters has been charged with possession of a dangerous drug, sell/supply a dangerous drug, knowingly participate in prostitution, identity fraud and will appear in the Southport Magistrates Court tomorrow.
A 38-year-old woman from Burleigh has been charged with traffic in a dangerous drug, possession of a dangerous drug, sell/supply a dangerous drug, unlawful prostitution, fraud, attempted fraud and will appear in the Southport Magistrates Court tomorrow.
A 36-year-old woman from Nerang has been charged with sell/supply a dangerous drug, possession of a dangerous drug and will appear in the Southport Magistrates Court tomorrow.
A 37-year-old from Carrara has been charged with trafficking in a dangerous drug, sell/supply a dangerous drug, produce dangerous drug and will appear in the Southport Magistrates Court tomorrow.
A 30-year-old man currently on remand for unrelated charges has been issued with a Notice to Appear for trafficking in a dangerous drug, sell/supply a dangerous drug and produce dangerous drug. He is scheduled to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on November 7.
Further charges are expected this afternoon.

http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2011/09/28/353121_gold-coast-lead-story.html