FIVE ARRESTED FOLLOWING CROSS-BORDER DRUG AND WEAPONS INVESTIGATION

Military grade weapons and pill pressers have been seized in a massive police operation targetting a cross-border drug syndicate.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of MDMA and amphetamines were also allegedly seized today, as part of a six-month joint police operation in northern NSW, south east Queensland and Victoria.

Police executed five search warrants across the three states and arrested five people – including one man from Ballina.

The 28-year-old has been charged with seveal offences including:

Supply large commercial quantity of prohibited drug (three counts)
Supply commercial quantity of prohibited drug (two counts)
Manufacture large commercial quantity of prohibited drug (two counts)
Supply prohibited firearm
Supply prohibited firearm part
Supply ammunition, and
Knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime.

Officers say the man was involved in the manufacture and supply of large commercial quantities of MDMA and amphetamines and the supply of firearms.

He’s been refused bail, to appear at Lismore Local Court tomorrow.

As part of joint inquiries, Queensland Police Service State Crime Command’s Drug and Serious Crime Group executed three search warrants at homes in Highland Park, Mudgeeraba and Ashmore today, where they arrested two men – aged 27 and 36. .

Additionally, Victoria Police also executed two search warrants at homes in Abbotsford and Balaclava.

A 27-year-old man was arrested at the Abbotsford property and a second 27-year-old man at a property in Surrey Hills.

Strike force detectives will apply for the extradition of three men, two from Queensland and one from Victoria, to NSW in both the Southport Magistrates Court and Melbourne Magistrates Court tomorrow.

Investigations under Strike Force Ranson are ongoing.