Taskforce Maxima – Closure of Operation North Hardwood
State Crime Command’s Taskforce Maxima today closed Operation North Hardwood, a 12 month operation targeting a high-risk criminal group including an associate of the Black Uhlans OMCG and other members of a criminal network on the Gold Coast.
The operation closed with the execution of search warrants on 20 April (13 search warrants) and 29 April 2016 (eight search warrants).
Overall 17 people were charged with 97 offences including four people charged with trafficking dangerous drugs (ICE and GHB), one of which has additionally been charged with three offences of unlawfully supplying firearms including a category R firearm. A further offender was charged with the unlawful supply of a firearm category R.
During the operation, detectives located 10 firearms including an illicit USAS semi-automatic shotgun (banned in Australia) as well as two illicit loaded handguns. Detectives also located approximately 16 litres of the drug Gamma Hydroxybutyrate known as GHB (Fantasy), 750 grams of Ice, as well as small amounts of heroin, cocaine, steroids and other drugs. $93 440 cash was seized as well as $10,900 in counterfeit Australian $50 notes and several false identifications including New South Wales drivers licences.
On April 20, a 25-year-old man from Biggera Waters was charged with a number of offences including trafficking in dangerous drugs.
On April 29, detectives arrested a 33-year-old man from Ephraim Island and associate of the Black Uhlans OMCG, on charges of drug trafficking and the supply of firearms.
Acting Detective Inspector Tim Leadbetter of Taskforce Maxima said the operation involved over 12 months of investigation from a number units within the Queensland Police Service with operational assistance from the Australian Border Force and National Anti-Gangs Squad.
“Taskforce Maxima and the Queensland Police Service will continue to target organised crime including outlaw motorcycle gang members and their criminal networks in order to stop crime and make the community safer for all Queenslanders,” Inspector Leadbetter said.
“This is a major win for the community and police in seizing 10 illicit firearms from the hands of serious criminals including loaded hand guns and banned weapons,” Taskforce Maxima Commander, Detective Superintendent Mick Niland said.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
