POLICE seized a total of $161,880 worth of drugs in the bayside last year, including $29,000 from Capalaba.
The busts were due to anonymous tip-offs to Crime Stoppers.
The biggest bust was at Lota, with $100,000 worth of cannabis plants and a gun taken from a property last February.
The drugs at Capalaba included a large amount of amphetamines.
The Capalaba home’s occupant had been reported to Crime Stoppers for dealing drugs but police ended up arresting one person for drugs production and five other offences.
Two reports led to the drug busts but more than 730 other drug-related calls were received by the Crime Stoppers Brisbane bayside branch last year.
About 50 people were arrested for a range of crimes because of anonymous calls and online submissions. Property offences were the second most reported crime, followed by sexual and common assaults.
Across the state, there was an almost four-fold increase in reports of child pornography offences made to Crime Stoppers and 80 per cent growth in prostitution allegations.
Interestingly, women outranked men in crimes reported.
Females were more often reported for offences related to drugs, personal safety, property and animal welfare.
Most of those using Crime Stoppers to report offences were also women.
There were 20,570 females who reported offences to Crime Stoppers, compared with 16,387 calls from males.
Crime Stoppers Brisbane bayside branch spokesman Paul Fitzpatrick said people were contacting Crime Stoppers more often to report suspicious behaviour.
The bayside branch received 1145 tip-offs last year compared with 987 in 2016, a 16 per cent increase he attributed to the promotion of Crime Stoppers’ 1800 333 000 hotline by volunteers.
“The community is becoming more aware and familiar with Crime Stoppers,” he said.
“The figures show the community is more prepared to report suspicious behaviour anonymously.”
Mr Fitzpatrick said more volunteers were sought to raise money for the non-profit organisation and its profile.
He said recruits could man Crime Stopper stalls at shops, attend Coffee with a Cop events and help deliver information when needed.
Find more information about joining Crime Stoppers here.
To report crime anonymously, phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online form at crimestoppersqld.com.au.