POLICE investigating south-east Queensland drug trafficking networks run from the Sunshine Coast have arrested a 37-year-old man at Ormiston.
The man was arrested by police on Wednesday and charged with one count of trafficking drugs.
Another man, aged 29, was arrested on Wednesday at Carina and charged with the same offence.
A Queensland Police Service spokesperson said the men were arrested after a 17-month investigation by police into a crime syndicate run from the Sunshine Coast, which allegedly controlled drug trafficking networks.
Police have arrested 28 people on 110 charges as part of Operation Papa Argyle, including 64 counts of drugs trafficking, two of importing a controlled substance and six of perjury.
The spokesperson said 11 people had been charged for their alleged involvement with a criminal organisation.
About $2.4 million in cash and $1 million worth of illegal drugs, including quantities of cocaine, MDMA powder, cannabis and steroids, have been seized.
Police have also seized about $600,000 worth of property, including 15 vehicles, jewellery, watches and computer equipment.
Operations Manager and Officer in Charge of the Sunshine Coast crime group, Detective Inspector David Drinnen, said police were dismantling south-east Queensland drug trafficking networks.
“This is a very successful outcome for Sunshine Coast District detectives who have dismantled and disabled a highly organised, systematic and high-level crime group which has had a significant impact on drug supplies throughout south-east Queensland,” he said.
“With this seizure of millions of dollars in cash, drugs, and other proceeds of crime, we’ve hit criminal groups where is hurts most – profit.”
See Operation Papa Argyle video below:
The Queensland Police Service spokesperson said the crime group’s safe house in Brisbane, an inner city apartment, was targeted by police in phase one of the operation.
Quantities of cocaine, a cocaine press, an MDMA capsules press, meth and cash were allegedly found.
Police then investigated a syndicate, which was allegedly sourcing commercial quantities of cannabis from Sydney.
Stage three of the operation began on Wednesday, leading to the arrest of the two men.