Detectives from the Drug and Serious Crime Group executed a search warrant on 7 November 2023 at a Gungaloon property on the Fraser Coast, about 230 km north of Brisbane, where they found a large cannabis farm growing in 24 covered growth tunnels.[1][2] Officers located about 11,118 cannabis plants and 515 kg of dried cannabis buds at the farm.[1][2]
Ten people were arrested at the property and an eleventh man who tried to flee was tracked down by the dog squad a short time later.[1][2] All eleven were charged with producing and possessing dangerous drugs and possessing items used in crime, remanded in custody, and set to reappear at Maryborough Magistrates Court on 23 January 2024.[1][2] Police said the eleven farm offenders were Vietnamese nationals on student visas.[1]
Detectives then executed ten follow-up search warrants across the Brisbane, Moreton, Sunshine Coast and Logan districts, finding another 90 kg of cannabis, $521,000 in cash, smaller amounts of cocaine, methylamphetamine and MDMA, plus trucks, tractors and generators.[1][2] Seven more people were charged with 47 drug offences, bringing the operation to 18 arrests, which police said had disrupted a major Vietnamese organised-crime syndicate.[1][2] Police put the combined haul, including the non-cannabis seizures, at about $60 million.[1][2]
