A comprehensive 10-day crime operation on the Gold Coast has led to over 500 charges and the identification of more than 100 victims.
Operation Whiskey Legion Nets 532 Charges in Gold Coast Crime Sweep
Operation Whiskey Legion, a large-scale police initiative, launched into action across the Gold Coast district on April 22, targeting crime and boosting community safety.
The operation involved specialist police units, including Highway Patrol, Crime and Intelligence Command, Rail Squad, Water Police, Dog Squad, and Crime Prevention teams, working in tandem with local law enforcement resources.
Throughout the 10-day operation, police presence surged across the district, with officers strategically deployed to key areas such as shopping precincts, transportation hubs, and other critical hotspots.
This intensified visibility resulted in the arrest of 231 people on a total of 532 charges, among them 39 juvenile offenders facing 97 offences.
One notable arrest involved a 41-year-old man from Varsity Lakes, who faced ten charges related to domestic violence.
He appeared at Southport Magistrates Court on May 1, where he was denied bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 17.
Operation Whiskey Legion’s comprehensive approach emphasised proactive community engagement.
Officers conducted over 10,436 proactive interactions with the public and performed 93 business walkthroughs, fostering stronger relationships and enhancing public safety.
This outreach played a key role in the operation’s success, with officers providing support and updates to 156 victims of crime.
South Eastern Region Acting Assistant Commissioner Mel Adams praised the operation’s success, emphasising the importance of intelligence-led strategies in maximising resources and ensuring a positive outcome.
“The QPS conducts intelligence-led analysis and we look at how we can best deploy the Service’s broader resources to augment local districts,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Mel Adams explained. “That is what we saw with Operation Whiskey Legion on the Gold Coast.”
With a collaborative effort from multiple police units and a focus on community interaction, Operation Whiskey Legion has made a significant impact on reducing crime and enhancing public safety in the Gold Coast district.
Here are the key statistics from the operation:
- Heightened Police Visibility: Officers were deployed across the district, leading to the arrest of 231 people on 532 charges.
- Traffic and Penalty Infringements: Police issued 377 traffic and penalty infringement notices following 348 street checks.
- Searches and Warrants: Officers carried out 27 searches, executed 27 warrants, and conducted 1,161 random breath tests and drug tests.
- Proactive Community Engagement: A key focus of the operation, with over 10,436 interactions with the community and 93 business walkthroughs.
- Additional Activities: Police issued 236 warnings and conducted 15 bail compliance checks.
Operation Whiskey Legion’s comprehensive approach demonstrated the commitment of the Queensland Police Service to public safety and effective crime reduction on the Gold Coast.
News source and featured image: My Police Queensland website
