POLICE say they have smashed a major drug syndicate which may have trafficked at least $9 million worth of cannabis in southeast Queensland.

Cash and drugs seized by Gold Coast police. Picture: Greg Stolz Source: The Courier-Mail

Cash and drugs seized by Gold Coast police. Picture: Greg Stolz Source: The Courier-Mail

 

Gold Coast detectives seized a Ferrari, almost $500,000 in cash, guns and 158kgs of cannabis in weekend raids.

They arrested 38 people on 278 charges, including a de facto Elanora couple who were the syndicate's alleged kingpins.

Inspector Tim Trezise, of Gold Coast CIB, said the middle-aged couple were allegedly using a hydroponics shop as a 'cover' for the drug racket.

He said about $400,000 in cash had been seized from the pair, who were charged with about 90 offences between them including drug trafficking.

Insp Trezise said the busts were the culmination of Operation Juliet Stilton, which began on the Sunshine Coast Last year and spread to the Gold Coast.

 

Police pounced after receiving information large amounts of cannabis were being smuggled from Victoria into southeast Queensland and sold to local dealers.

 

As much as 45 kilos of the drug was being driven to the Coast every two weeks,Insp Trezise said.

"It is very significant and we're very pleased," he said.

"This is clearly going to disrupt the cannabis trade on the Coast."

 

Cash and drugs seized by Gold Coast police. Picture: Greg Stolz

Source: The Courier-Mail