A 39-year-old Victorian man is expected to be extradited to Queensland today following an extensive investigation into a major drug operation by the Gold Coast Major and Organised Crime Squad.
Officers have successfully sought the Melbourne man’s extradition to face charges as a result of the closure of Operation Kilo Zurich on the Gold Coast earlier this year.
The investigation centered around a criminal syndicate transporting large amounts of cannabis on domestic airlines.
It will be alleged the man was the drug syndicate’s connection to the producers of the cannabis, facilitating the transportation of almost 2.5 tonnes of the drug, worth an estimated $22.5 million, to Queensland where it was further distributed.
The man is expected to be extradited to Queensland this afternoon to face two counts of trafficking dangerous drugs, one which includes the Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment (VLAD) circumstance of aggravation for being a participant of a criminal syndicate. As a result of this legislation, he faces an additional 15 years imprisonment on top of the sentence he receives for the trafficking charges as a result of his involvement in the criminal syndicate.
It is anticipated that he will appear in the Southport Magistrates Court tomorrow.
The total of 36 people have been charged with more than 138 offences in relation to Operation Kilo Zurich, including this latest arrest.
Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.
Crime Stoppers is a registered charity and community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.
For all non-urgent police reporting or general police inquiries contact Policelink on 131 444 or Policelink.qld.gov.au 24hrs a day.