Port Douglas bust ‘just a snapshot’ of drug investigation
PORT DOUGLAS
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POLICE believe a covert drug bust in Port Douglas last week could be just the tip of the iceberg as details emerge about a long running money laundering investigation.
More than 50 officers swooped on the tourist village on Thursday following a 12-month long investigation under Operation Papa Prowess.
A total of 113 grams of cocaine and 100 MDMA pills were taken in raids at a number of businesses and homes, along with a vessel at the Port Douglas marina, resulting in the arrest of 15 residents.
Detective Sergeant Graham Camp said the drugs seized were ‘a fraction’ of what was being supplied throughout the area.
“It is just a snapshot of what was going on that day and would be a fraction of what was dealt during the 12 months we did this investigation,” he said.
“We believe that a quantity of it has certainly come up from Victoria. It’s probably one of the more sophisticated groups of people we’ve had in the Far North district for some time.”
Police will allege they have been facilitating drug trafficking from Melbourne ‘through established criminal links’.
Seven men and three women from Port Douglas and five from the surrounding region were charged with ages ranging from 29-years-old to 71-years-old.
More than $30,000 in cash, encrypted telecommunications devices and one crocodile skull were also found as part of the bust, which resulted in 84 offences.
Detective Sergeant Camp said investigations would continue into suspected money laundering with the help of the Australian Taxation Office.
It was revealed a ‘mix of demographics’ in the Port Douglas and Far North region have been under investigation for up to two years, with a number of them significant offenders.
“There are certainly a number of people that we will continue to investigate. Employed people, unemployed people, certainly some of them have been business owners at different times,” Det Sergeant Camp said.
“As I said, perhaps further up the chain, those we’ve arrested, and also those who have assisted in large or small ways with money laundering.
“We suspect that some of the illegally gotten wealth is being laundered through businesses.”
The Papa Prowess investigation has involved local police, major and organised crime detectives and the organised crime gang squad from Brisbane, Far North district officers, the Australian Federal Police Border Force, Victoria Police, along with the ATO.
Port Douglas Police Senior Sergeant Damian Meadows said a significant amount of intelligence had also been gathered from sources throughout the community.
“With these types of investigations police are reliant on public information whether that be through crime stoppers where people can remain anonymous,” he said.
“The scourge of illicit drugs affects everyone in the community and investigations are certainly ongoing.”
The 15 arrested will face the Cairns Magistrates Court next month.
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* Due to this case being before the courts comments will only be published at the Editor’s discretion.