Burdekin MP Dale Last said bail of accused

drug traffickers ‘defies belief’

A decision to grant two accused drug traffickers bail after detectives made their biggest ice bust
in 20 years “defies belief”, Burdekin MP Dale Last says, as we reveal their identities >>

JACOB MILEY, Townsville Bulletin

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October 2, 2019 12:56pm

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Townsville Police close huge drug bust

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Today marked the end of a significant drug operation across Townsville, Operation Romeo
Telos.

A DECISION to grant two accused drug traffickers bail after detectives made their biggest ice
bust in 20 years “defies belief”, Burdekin MP Dale Last says.

Alleged traffickers Steven Rush and Chris Mctackett appeared in Townsville Magistrates Court
at the weekend and were granted bail on the grounds they report to police and have no contact
with the co-accused.

Acting as duty lawyer, Phil Rennick of Rennick lawyers represented the pair, successfully
fighting against the police’s opposition to bail.

The men were arrested following a major investigation into an alleged drug syndicate that was
trafficking ice and cannabis from Brisbane to Townsville, in what was described as the biggest
bust in two decades.
Townsville Police seized more than $5 million worth of ice and $850,000 cash in a major drug
operation. Photo: QPS

Police swooped on the alleged courier on Friday as a car arrived in Hermit Park, allegedly
finding 5kg of ice in a bag, which had an approximate street value of more than $5 million.

More than $880,000 was also found during the raids throughout several properties in Townsville.

“This was the biggest bust in Townsville in 20 years and it defies belief that these people have
been bailed,” Mr Last said.

“Ice is tearing apart families and communities.”

Mr Last said it was an example of a justice system “cracking at the seams”.

Townsville Police seized more than $5 million worth of ice and $850,000 cash in a major drug
operation. Photo: QPS

A Justice Department spokesman said it was inappropriate to comment on judicial decisions.

Mr Rush must report to Kirwan Police Station on Monday and Friday and must not contact his
co-accused.

Mr Mctackett will not be able to contact his co-accused and will have to report to Redland Bay
station, east of Brisbane, two days a week.

Another man, Jay Minniecon, did not apply for bail when his matter was briefly heard in court
on Monday.

All matters will return to court on December 2.

‘Biggest ice bust in Townsville in 20 years’ as
16 people charged, drugs and $850,000 cash
seized
Townsville Police have finalised a major drug operation, with 16 people charged with 95
offences after officers seized more than $5 million worth of drugs and cash. Watch the moment
police found the haul >>

A MAJOR supplier of drugs in North Queensland has been thwarted as detectives made their
biggest ice bust in more than two decades and seized close to a million dollars in cash.

Targeted raids were taken out at properties in Brisbane and Townsville yesterday as officers
seized about 5.5kg of methamphetamine, 23kg of cannabis and cocaine and ecstasy.

It followed a major and protracted investigation in which detectives will allege couriers in the
state’s capital were moving cannabis and ice by road to North Queensland.

5.5kg of methylamphetamine and 23kg of cannabis was seized.

Police swooped on a car as it arrived at a Hermit Park property yesterday and allegedly found
5kg of ice stashed in a cooler bag, which has an approximate street value of more than $5
million.
Townsville’s Major and Organised Crime Squad officer-in-charge detective Senior Sergeant
Brad Phelps said $880,000 was also found during the raids. In one house, officers were finding
cash “here, there and everywhere”.

“That would be by far the biggest seizure of methamphetamine that we’ve had in Townsville in
the last 20 years, so it’s certainly significant, and combined with that over $880,000,” he said.

Sen-Sgt Phelps said the alleged suppliers would have been major players in the region’s drug
market.

Police have charged 16 people with 95 offences, including nine people for drug trafficking.

$850,000 in cash was seized.

Sen-Sgt Phelps said it would be alleged the drugs were being couriered every one or two weeks.

“The quantity involved is very, very significant and it will be alleged that these particular
persons have been involved in this ongoing activity for some time,” he said.

“This isn’t, it will be alleged, their first trip to North Queensland and the sums of money
involved in bringing these drugs to North Queensland are also highly significant.”

Sen-Sgt Phelps said it would be alleged there was a very strong customer base in Townsville and
there was a co-ordinator in the city arranging the transportation.
“The Townsville-based offenders, it will be alleged, there was a principal offender who was
bringing these drugs in and then there will be a number of people that we will allege were
underlings to that principal offender, who were traffickers in their own right,” he said.

Detectives are still investigating how long the syndicate was operating for and just how much
drugs they were bringing into North Queensland.

A taser and gel blaster weapons were also discovered during the raids.

Sen-Sgt Phelps said more people were likely to be charged in the future.