Police crack cannabis ring

AN ALLEGED Warwick drug trafficking syndicate has been dismantled after police arrested two men last week and served another with a notice to appear.
Warwick Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) and Homicide Cold Case detectives apprehended a 44-year-old Emu Vale man, and a 52-year-old Yangan man, on Friday as part of the ongoing investigations of Operation Mike Explore.
Operation Mike Explore commenced in August following the discovery of a suspected large-scale cannabis production site on a Rocky Creek Road, Emu Vale property.
The men fronted Warwick Magistrates’ Court on Friday afternoon where they were denied bail.
The 44-year-old Emu Vale man was charged with two counts of trafficking in cannabis, two counts of production of cannabis exceeding the specified quantity, and possession of the Karara property used in connection with the crimes.
The 52-year-old Yangan man was charged with two counts of trafficking, two counts of production of cannabis exceeding the specified quantity, and possession of the Emu Vale property used in connection with the crimes.
He was also charged with possessing cannabis exceeding the specified quantity.
A 76-year-old man, who is yet to be named, was also issued with a notice to appear on Friday in relation to serious drug-related charges following searches of Karara, Emu Vale and Massie properties.
Police will allege the man, and others, produced a large-scale cannabis plantation at a Karara property, south-west of Warwick, between 1996 and 1998.
It will be further alleged the syndicate undertook large-scale cannabis production at the Rocky Creek Road, Emu Vale property in about 2003 through to 2014.
In addition the man was found to be in possession of cannabis and a large sum of money located during a search of a Massie property in August 2014.
The 76-year-old was charged with three counts each of trafficking dangerous drugs and producing a dangerous drug between 1996 and 2014.
He is also charged with one count each of possession of a dangerous drug, possession of property derived from trafficking, possession of instructions for production of dangerous drugs and supplying a concealable firearm.
The firearm charge relates to a police-issue revolver which was allegedly stolen during a break-and-enter at the Stanthorpe Police Station in 1995, where a number of police and private firearms were stolen.
Detective Acting Superintendent Mick Dowie said that together, the Warwick CIB and Homicide Cold Case Unit had identified and dismantled an entrenched cannabis production and trafficking syndicate.
“It will be alleged that this syndicate has been criminally active for many years and has played a major role in producing and trafficking cannabis,” he said.
“This will have a significant impact on cannabis availably and criminal activity in the Warwick and wider area.”
The Crime and Corruption Commission Proceeds of Crime team have commenced confiscation investigations in respect of the syndicate members and their property holdings valued more than $2.5 million.
The Crime and Corruption Commission has also assisted with the conduct of coercive hearings in relation to the matter.
All three men are due to reappear before Warwick’s Magistrate’s Court on 24 November.