50 raids, 36 arrests, 400 charges: Drug police sweep Emerald
THIRTY-six people have been arrested and charged with more than 400 drug offences following a major police operation at Emerald, in central Queensland.
Police raided more than 50 properties in the former mining-boom town this week following a major year-long investigation aimed at stopping the supply of crystal methamphetamine (ice) and cannabis in the area.
Detectives and officers from Rockhampton, along with officers from the Tactical Crime Squad, Springsure, Ankie, Capella, and Blackwater have stormed dozens of properties in the past two days.
A few of the latest items picked up in #emerald drug raids @WINNews_ROK pic.twitter.com/18o3Gc4yct
— Andrea Crothers (@abcrothers) November 2, 2017
So far, police have seized drugs and guns and arrested 36 people on over 400 charges.
Fifteen of those have been charged with 26 counts of trafficking drugs, and 284 counts of drug supply.
UPDATE: A woman has been arrested after an Emerald home was raided by police as part of a widespread drug operation. #9News pic.twitter.com/9QegRIVwKM
— 9NewsCentralQld (@9NewsCentralQld) November 1, 2017
Another man arrested during today’s third drug raid, in Emerald. @7NewsCQ pic.twitter.com/AYnnWsxPI1
— Georgia Done (@GeorgiaDone7) November 1, 2017
Detective Russell Joyce said the closure of the operation was the result of a years’ worth of hard work.
“We have seen a large quantity of drugs and firearms removed from the community as a result of this operation,” he said.
“All the police officers involved have worked tirelessly to get to this point, and I want to thank members of the Emerald community for assisting us in getting the great results we see today.”
Police have said they expect to make more arrests and lay more charges in the coming days.
If you have information for Police, please contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using their online form 24 hours per day.
You can also report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24 hours per day. Crime Stoppers is a registered charity and community volunteer organisation.
