Detectives from Gold Coast Major Organised Crime Squad have arrested 18 people over a large-scale drug trafficking and money laundering operation.
Search warrants were executed at 11 addresses across south east Queensland and northern New South Wales including in Burleigh Heads, Tugun, and Fingal Heads on Thursday.
They resulted in 71kg of methylamphetamine, 10kg of cocaine, 3kg of heroin, 1kg of MDMA, 3 category B rifles, approximately $1.25 million in cash suspected to be the proceeds of crime, steroids, illicit prescription drugs and over 10L of GBL being seized.
Investigators will allege the seizures are connected to a drug trafficking and money laundering network operating across south east and north Queensland, with police charging numerous couriers, distributors, customers and alleged organisers since the operation began in December 2025.
Eighteen people have been arrested and charged in relation to the operation, including three alleged syndicate leaders, a 30-year-old Fingal Heads man, a 35-year-old Burleigh Heads man and a 20-year-old Eagleby man who have been charged with multiple drug trafficking offences.
They are expected to appear in Southport Magistrates Court today.
Detective Inspector Craig Bowman of the Organised Crime Gangs Group said the operation represents the culmination of nine months of dedicated investigative work targeting a major organised crime syndicate responsible for significant community harm.
“The results achieved by our investigators have disrupted the syndicate’s operations and removed substantial quantities of dangerous drugs from our streets,” Detective Inspector Bowman said.
“This outcome is a credit to the professionalism, persistence and determination of the Gold Coast MOCS, supported Logan MOCS and Maxima.
“If any member of the community has any information at all in relation to the use, supply or trafficking of illicit drugs in the community, I encourage them to report the matter to police via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
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