OFF THE WIRE
thechronicle.com.au
Taskforce Hydra officer-in-charge Garry Watts (left) and Toowoomba Detective Inspector Darren Smith.
Bev Lacey
POLICE have shut down an illicit drug ring in Toowoomba which was allegedly run by a member of the Bandidos outlaw motorcycle gang.
Anti-bikie Taskforce Hydra joined forces with local detectives during an 11-month investigation into the illegal activities of a 40-year-old Toowoomba gang member.
About 80 police officers were involved in simultaneous raids at the Bandidos club house in Civil Crt, Harlaxton and homes yesterday morning.
Police from the Special Emergency Response Team travelled from Brisbane to participate in the
raid.
The Bandidos had recently moved into their club house in a storage shed near the Deviations brothel.
Officers seized items of stolen property and, oddly, a large metal staircase during the raid.
Police have charged a 40-year-old man Newtown man, who is a member of the Bandidos Toowoomba chapter, with trafficking dangerous drugs.
A 44-year-old Rockville man was also charged with trafficking dangerous drugs. He is an associate of the Bandidos.
Taskforce Hydra officer-in-charge Garry Watts said the joint Operation Juliet Bronx closed yesterday.
"Operation Juliet Bronx was purely focused on the unlawful activities of a member of the Toowoomba chapter of the Bandidos outlaw motorcycle gang," Detective Inspector Watts said.
"This will certainly have a significant impact on the availability of illicit drugs in the Toowoomba region."
Police would not divulge what quantities of methylamphetamines were involved in the trafficking.
A small amount of illicit drugs was found during the raids.Search warrants were also executed in Warwick and Tannum Sands near Gladstone.Toowoomba Police District spokesman Darren Smith said the operation was an "outstanding success".
"Intelligence gathered as a result will assist in solving a number of serious unsolved crimes in the Toowoomba area," Detective Inspector Smith said.
The pair will appear in court today..