Inquiries to follow after QLD raids

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Inquiries to follow after QLD raids allegedly involving The Finks

 

QLD detectives wearing bulletproof vests raided several homes on the Gold Coast in dawn raids which netted a smorgasbord of illicit drugs. They included various quantities of cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, ecstasy and cannabis.

 

Six people were charged with 15 drug-related and property offences in the raids which were the culmination of a four-month investigation, Operation Charlie Basic.

 

"We believe that a number of these people have links to OMCGs (outlaw motorcycle gangs) and we are definitely conducting further inquiries in relation to that," Detective Inspector Ken Bemi of Gold Coast CIB said.

 

One of the alleged offenders photographed by local media had "Finks M.C." tattooed across his left forearm.

 

Police allegedly seized a 9mm handgun and a small quantity of amphetamines from the 30-year-old man's Mermaid Waters home. He remained handcuffed as detectives and a police dog scoured the property which was equipped with a surveillance system, including several security cameras.

 

Police later charged the man with unlawful possession of a dangerous drug and a concealable firearm.

 

Four other premises at Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach Waters, Bonogin and Benowa were simultaneously raided about 6am.

 

Three of the alleged offenders – two 34-year-old men and a 20-year-old woman – were charged with possession of drugs and tainted property at a high- rise apartment in Surfers Paradise.

 

Cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, 150 ecstasy tablets and $24,000 cash were allegedly found in the apartment.

 

A 29-year-old man, from Bonogin, west of Burleigh Heads, was charged with possession of a stolen jetski and small quantities of heroin and cannabis.

 

Police also arrested a Broadbeach Waters man, 27, for drug possession. He also was wanted on a Supreme Court warrant.

 

About 30 detectives from Brisbane Crime Operations and the Gold Coast CIB were involved in yesterday's raids.

 

"We're very happy with the results and we certainly believe our actions will have disrupted drug manufacture and distribution on the Gold Coast," Insp Bemi said.

 

"Any unlawful activity whether it be organised or otherwise certainly won't be tolerated on the Gold Coast. It's only a matter of time, if people persist in these unlawful activities, that they will be caught