Four people have been charged over an alleged sophisticated shoplifting operation on the Gold Coast.
Police raided a home on Arun Drive in Arundel on Wednesday following investigations into the large-scale racket that had allegedly targeted retailers across the southeast.
It’s alleged that the group used fake receipts that resembled those from major retailers, then used them to unlawfully remove high-value items, including toys, electrical appliances, bedding, and homewares.
The group is then accused of selling those items online through social media accounts.
Police will also allege the offenders would drive unlicensed during their operation, using multiple vehicles to avoid Police detection and also involved children in the scam.
Officers seized a significant quantity of suspected stolen property from the home, filling up two vans with allegedly stolen toys and other items.
Police also located a quantity of methamphetamine, drug utensils, and two firearms, one of which was later found to be a modified gel blaster.
The four occupants of the home were taken into custody.
A 46-year-old Arundel man has been charged with one count each of receiving tainted property, possessing dangerous drugs and possessing utensils or pipes for use.
He is due to appear at Southport Magistrates Court on 26 November.
A 46-year-old Arundel man has been charged with three counts of enter premises and commit indictable offence, and one count of enter premises with intent to commit indictable offence, driving of motor vehicle without a driver licence, receiving tainted property, unlawful possession of suspected stolen property, possessing dangerous drugs, offence to buy or possess S4 or S8 medicines or hazardous poisons, possessing relevant substances or things, possess utensils or pipes for use, and contravening an order about information necessary to access information stored electronically.
He is due to reappear at Southport Magistrates Court on 26 November.
A 45-year-old Arundel woman has been charged with one count each of receiving tainted property, possessing dangerous drugs and possessing utensils or pipes for use.
She is due to appear at Southport Magistrates Court on 1 December.
A 47-year-old Arundel man has been charged with two counts of receiving tainted property and one count each of unlawful possession of weapons and possessing relevant substances or things.
He is due to reappear at Southport Magistrates Court on 10 December.
Investigations are continuing.
