Closure of multi-agency maritime operation, Moreton Bay

A two-day multi-agency operation targeting drug and other illegal activity on commercial and recreational fishing vessels in the Moreton Bay region finished yesterday. Operation Juliet Osprey covered a sea zone stretching 100 nautical miles north and south and, out to the 200 nautical mile limit from the Scarborough  Harbour.

Operation Juliet Osprey was a joint operation between the Queensland Police, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, Australian Federal Police, Australian Fisheries Management Authority and the Australian Crime Commission.

The third phase of the multi-agency operation began on Tuesday in the Scarborough Harbour and the greater Moreton Bay area targeting illegal activity such as drug trafficking and possession, firearms and weapons act offences, being in charge of vessel whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and compliance and enforcement of maritime regulations.

Multi-agency boarding teams consisting of members of the QPS and Customs and Border Protection boarded and searched a total of 58 commercial fishing and recreational vessels during the two day operation resulting in five people being charged with nine offences relating to drugs and firearm charges.

Some of those charged by police during the two days of the Operation include:

·         a 57-year-old Surfers Paradise man charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. He is due to appear in the Redcliffe Magistrates Court on September 19;

·         a 43-year-old Redcliffe man charged with possession of a dangerous drug. He is due in the Redcliffe Magistrates Court on September 28;

·         a 29-year-old Kallangur man charged with seven offences including possession of a dangerous drug, possession of a utensil and unlicensed driving. He is due to appear in the Redcliffe Magistrates Court on September 26;

·         a 43-year-old Woody Point man and a 33-year-old Newport woman who were both charged with possession of a dangerous drug. They are due to appear in the Redcliffe Magistrates Court on October 3.

Police also issued a number of Maritime Infringement Notices for marine and fisheries related matters.

Traffic enforcement was also conducted at boat ramps from Clontarf to Donnybrook and Bribie Island over the two days resulting in 631 roadside breath tests, 15 roadside drug tests, 18 Traffic Infringement Notices, and three Notices to Appear for drink driving and disqualified driving matters.  At least one driver returned a positive drug swab and a sample taken from the driver has been sent for further analysis.

Approximately 94 personnel, including officers from the Water Police, uniformed police Customs and Border Protection drug detection dog teams took part in the operation.

Senior Sergeant Ross Simpson, Redcliffe District Crime Manager, said it was a well coordinated and highly successful multi-agency operation.

“In the past two days we brought together assets and personnel from five federal and state agencies in a coordinated approach. Apart from the arrests made, we have secured a significant amount of intelligence that will be developed and will form the basis for future operations.

“The professionalism displayed by personnel from all agencies in both the planning and operational phases is to be commended and helped ensured the success of the operation,” Senior Sergeant Simpson said.

Anyone with information which could assist police with their investigations should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.

Crime Stoppers is a charitable community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.