Meth, cannabis, cocaine and MDMA have been seized during a major drug bust by Moranbah police.
20 people have been charged with 261 offences under Operation Xray Limbo, targeting a drug trafficking syndicate in Moranbah, with links as far south as Brisbane.
The operation was established in March 2025, following an increase in drug related intelligence reported by the community.
Detectives executed 11 search warrants across Moranbah, Nebo, Ashmore, and Scarborough on August 25 and 26 to close the operation.
Police seized a substantial amount of drugs across the search warrants including approximately 326 grams of methylamphetamine, 2.7kg of cannabis, 62 grams of cocaine, and 16 grams of MDMA, worth an approximate total value of $120,000.
Officers also seized $50,000 cash, a firearm, ammunition and a distinctive black Kawasaki Z1000 motorbike, which police will allege was used in trafficking dangerous drugs.
Of the 20 people charged, a 32-year-old Moranbah man was arrested in Moranbah on August 25 and charged with 85 offences including 78 counts of supplying dangerous drugs, two counts of possessing dangerous drugs, and one count each of trafficking in dangerous drugs, possess property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence, possessing anything used in the commission of crime defined in Part 2, possess utensils or pipes etc that had been used, and contravening order about information necessary to access information stored electronically.
He has been remanded in custody and has faced the Emerald Magistrates Court.
A 33-year-old Nebo man was arrested in Nebo on 25 August and charged with 15 offences including three counts of possessing dangerous drugs, two counts of possessing dangerous drugs Schedule 1 drug quantity of or exceeding Schedule 3 but less than schedule 4, and one count each of obstruct police officer, possessing dangerous drugs Schedule 2 drug quantity of or exceeding Schedule 3, unlawful possession of weapons Category D/H/R weapon, authority required to possess explosives, manufacture explosive without authority, possess utensils or pipes etc that had been used, possess tainted property, publishing or possessing instructions for producing dangerous drugs, fail to properly dispose of needle and syringe and offence to buy or possess S4 or S8 medicines or hazardous poisons.
He has been remanded in custody and is due to next appear in Mackay Magistrates Court on September 2.
Detective Inspector Emma Novosel said this was a significant operation focused on strengthening community safety, with further charges expected.
“Detectives used overt and covert methodologies to detect and investigate these offences over a six-month period, aimed at preventing and disrupting the movement of drugs in our community,” Detective Inspector Novosel said.
“This operation, and the dedicated work of detectives, has led to substantial charges and property seizures. This will have a significant impact on the local community.
“We’re committed to keeping dangerous drugs off our streets to protect our community and will continue to proactively target people who aim to cause harm.”
