Weipa-based Queensland Police Service members and the Australian Federal Police have teamed up to crack down on drugs, stolen property and explosives in the western Cape York township. Photo: Facebook (myPolice Cape York).
A joint effort crackdown by the Weipa-based Queensland Police Service officers and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has resulted in several arrests related to drugs, alcohol and explosives in the western Cape York community.
The week-long operation included multiple search warrants and baggage checks at Weipa Airport, and targeting a range of alleged offences.
Weipa officer in charge Senior Sergeant Warren Flegg said while there had not been an increase in drug offending, stolen property and weapons act offences in the community, recent additional resources had allowed more focus to be put on the operation.
“With the recent increase in staffing to Weipa, this has resulted in a higher capacity and visibility in addressing policing issues, and allowed the execution of warrants,” he said.
Senior Sergeant Flegg said the return of the AFP to the community was invaluable in the search and subsequent arrests, with two females charged with a total of nine drug and liquor offences, and one male charged with two offences relating to Explosives Act 1999 offences.
“The QPS dog squad were on prior taskings, and a request for the AFP assistance was sought and approved,” he said.
“The use of the AFP canine was invaluable, and further operations and expansion taskings are planned.”
