News Centre

This is a joint media release between Australian Federal Police and Queensland Police Service.

Editor's note: Images of seized items are available via Hightail

A man is expected to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court today (29 January, 2025) charged with allegedly possessing weapons and drugs seized during a joint AFP and Queensland Police Service (QPS) search warrant on the Sunshine Coast last month (December, 2024).

Detectives from joint Taskforce Venator executed a search warrant at a Maroochydore backpacker hostel on 23 December, 2024, as part of an ongoing investigation into outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCGs).

They seized weapons, drugs and cash including a semi-automatic rifle, a revolver, ammunition, body armour, knuckledusters, a replica handgun and a gel blaster, 250 grams of cocaine, 400 grams of cannabis, 50 LSD tablets and $20,000 cash.

The Qld man, 60, was at the property when the search warrant was executed.

Taskforce Venator detectives charged him with:

• Two counts of possessing dangerous drugs, namely cocaine and LSD, contrary to section 9(1a) of the Drugs Misuse Act (Qld). This offence carries a maximum penalty of 25 years' imprisonment;
• One count of possessing a dangerous drug (cannabis), contrary to section 9(1d) of the Drugs Misuse Act (Qld). This offence carries a maximum penalty of 15 years' imprisonment;
• One count of possessing property for use in the commission of a crime, contrary to section 252(1) of the Criminal Proceeds Confiscation Act (Qld). This offence carries a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment;
• One count of possessing property suspected of being used in a drug offence, contrary to section 10A of the Drugs Misuse Act (Qld). This offence carries a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment;
• One count of unlawfully possessing a weapon, category D semi-automatic rifle, contrary to section 50c(i) of the Weapons Act (Qld). This offence carries a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment;
• One count of unlawfully possessing a weapon, category E body armour, contrary to section 50c(ii) of the Weapons Act (Qld). This offence carries a maximum penalty of four years' imprisonment;
• One count of unlawfully possessing a weapon, category M knuckleduster, contrary to section 50c(iii) of the Weapons Act (Qld). This offence carries a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment;
• One count of possessing a restricted item, namely a gel blaster and replica handgun, contrary to section 67(1) of the Weapons Act (Qld). This offence carries a maximum penalty of $1,613 and;
• One count of possessing explosives, namely ammunition, contrary to the Explosives Act (Qld). This offence carries a maximum penalty of six months' imprisonment.

The man was bailed and given a notice to appear in court today.

AFP Inspector Chris Crawford said the seizure of the allegedly illicit weapons was particularly concerning.

"Weapons are used by criminals and OMCGs to intimidate and harm rival gang members and, on occasion, police officers and innocent members of the public," Insp Crawford said.

"That is why the AFP and QPS are working together through Taskforce Venator to get illicit weapons and substances out of the community."

Queensland Police Service Organised Crime Gangs Group Detective Acting Superintendent Craig Bowman said the investigation was an example of the QPS's commitment to combat OMCGs and the risks they posed to the safety of the community.

"The unlawful weapons and drugs seized in this warrant could have caused untold damage among innocent communities," Detective a/Supt Bowman said.

"The QPS and AFP will continue to work together to enhance community safety, through the targeting of OMCGs and their criminal activities."

Taskforce Venator is a joint AFP and QPS taskforce that investigates serious organised crime in Queensland.