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Boronia Heights bud baron $60m bust

A Logan man has been caught up in a $60 million drug bust at a farm on the Fraser Coast that homed more than 10,000 cannabis plants.

A 22-year-old Boronia Heights man was among 17 others arrested with multiple counts of drug trafficking, supplying and possessing, as well as several other crimes totalling 80 charges.

Detectives from the Drug and Serious Crime Group executed a search warrant at a property at Gungaloon on 7 November, where they found a “significant Cannabis grow farm”.

Approximately 11,118 cannabis plants were located at the property, along with 515 kilograms of dried cannabis bud.

Detective Inspector Brad Phelps said the operation disrupted a major criminal syndicate.

“It will be alleged that the Gungaloon farm has been operational for approximately 18 months and was producing several hundred kilograms of cannabis per week,” he said.

Police also executed 10 other search warrants across Logan, Brisbane, Moreton, and Sunshine Coast in relation to the weed farm.

Through these raids they found a further $521,000 cash, 90 kilograms of cannabis, 245 grams of cocaine, 350 grams of ice, and 126 grams of MDMA.

In total, $60 million worth of cannabis, cash, cars and equipment were seized.

“We’ve seized a significant quantity of drugs, plants, cash, assets and equipment as a result of these raids,” Mr Phelps said.

“The reality is that these dangerous drugs were destined for sale to some of the most vulnerable people within our state and beyond.

“Now they’re out of the market, and those allegedly responsible will be brought to justice.”

The operation was established to target an organised crime group “facilitating the commercial production and distribution of cannabis across Australia”.

“The resources and funding required to establish and run commercial cannabis production facilities of this scale is significant,” Mr Phelps said.

“The seizure of over half a million dollars in cash along with significant assets provides an indication of the money generated by organised crime from cannabis production.

“The seizure of not only cannabis but ice, cocaine and MDMA in this investigation demonstrates that profit is the sole motivation for these criminal syndicates,” Detective Inspector Phelps said.

Police located and arrested 10 people at the farm.

Another man tried to flee the scene when detectives arrived, but he was tracked down by the dog squad a short time later.

All 11 people were charged.

They have all been remanded in custody and are expected to reappear at Maryborough Magistrates Court on 23 January 2024.

Seven other people were charged following the raids.

The Boronia Heights man has been remanded in custody and is expected to reappear at Richlands Magistrates Court on 27 February 2024.

 

 

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