Crime Archives - Forest Lake News

Doolandella and Inala Residents Among Five Charged in Major Drug Lab Bust

Queensland Police have uncovered an alleged commercial-scale methamphetamine laboratory in Logan, charging five people including residents from Doolandella and Inala in connection with the operation.

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Major drug operation uncovered

During a raid on Tuesday, 22 October, detectives from the Drug and Serious Crime Group executed a search warrant at a Park Ridge property as part of Operation Whiskey Vivid. The operation, conducted jointly by Queensland Police Service (QPS) and Australian Border Force (ABF), revealed what police allege to be a sophisticated drug manufacturing facility.

Police report seizing approximately two kilograms of crystallised methylamphetamine (‘ice’) and five litres of methylamphetamine oil from the property. The raid also uncovered three firearms, including a semi-automatic rifle and two handguns, along with a substantial amount of cash.

Doolandella and Inala residents implicated

Among those charged are a 42-year-old man from Doolandella and a 32-year-old man from Inala. Both face multiple charges including producing dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs, and possession of property suspected of being used in connection with drug offences.

clandestine drug laboratory — Photo Credit: Youtube/QueenslandPolice

Three other individuals have also been charged: a Park Ridge couple, both aged 31, and a 32-year-old man from South Ripley.

A second raid at a Rocklea business premises yielded additional evidence, including cash, a cash counting machine, and ammunition. Police allege the group was coordinating the production and distribution of illegal drugs both within Queensland and interstate.

Detective Inspector Bradley Phelps from the Drug and Serious Crime Group emphasises the potential impact of the operation. “A clandestine lab of this scale can produce significant quantities of methylamphetamine which has the potential to cause untold community harm,” he says.

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The Synthetic Drug Operations Unit has been deployed to safely process and dismantle the laboratory. All five suspects are scheduled to appear before Beenleigh Magistrates Court, as investigations continue.

Police encourage anyone with information about drug production or distribution to contact Crime Stoppers online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au or via 1800 333 000.

Published 29-October-2024

Robbery at Joseph Banks Massage Parlour Caught on CCTV

Photo Credit: myPolice South Brisbane

Forest Lake residents are on high alert following a brazen armed robbery at a local massage parlour on Joseph Banks Avenue. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, August 10, was captured on CCTV, revealing a disturbing scene that has prompted an urgent police investigation.

According to the Acacia Ridge Criminal Investigation Branch, the robbery took place just before 7:15 PM when a man entered the massage parlour wearing a black face covering and armed with a sawn-off shotgun. The footage shows the suspect brandishing the weapon at a staff member while demanding money.

The employee complied with the robber’s demands, and fortunately, no physical harm was reported. The suspect, described as wearing a hoodie and thongs, fled the scene on foot immediately after the incident.

This incident follows another armed robbery at a 7-Eleven on Sumners Road at Centenary Place on August 13. While police do not believe the two cases are linked, they are treating both with equal seriousness.

Police have released the CCTV footage in hopes that someone might recognize the suspect or provide additional information. They are particularly interested in any dashcam footage from the area on the night of August 10.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.

Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.

Quote this reference number: QP2401359620

Published 26-August-2024

Turning the Screws on Crime with Forest Lake Men’s Shed’s New Event

A collaborative event between the police and members of the local Men’s Shed at Forest Lake, appropriately titled “Turning the Screws on Crime”, led to a total of 92 number plates being changed and secured with one-way screws.

Members and volunteers from the South Brisbane District Crime Prevention Unit worked alongside handymen from the Men’s Shed at Forest Lake on the 13th of February to secure a series of automobile number plates with one-way screws to prevent theft.

*Members of Forest Lake Men’s Shed* posing with handmade possum and bat boxes.
*Photo credit: Supplied*

“Turning the Screws on Crime” ran for a total of three hours, with 92 turnups all in all. Members of the Men’s Shed, in tandem with the police, worked hard under the sun to guarantee the safety of the Forest Lake populace. Fortunately, the event came with free food, as well as free coffee supplied by a coffee van from Cafe2U.

Cafe2U coffee van supplying attendants and volunteers
Photo credit: Facebook

What makes license plates a prime target for thieves is the fact that offenders can attach stolen plates to stolen cars, allowing them to drive through tolls, evade fines, and speed away after committing other crimes such as petrol drive-offs without being caught. All fines and offences will be traced to the victim, causing them a great deal of grief and difficulty.

With the installation of one-way screws, thieves are greatly deterred for they’ll have a significantly more difficult time trying to steal license plates from vehicles. With the event’s sizable turn-out, coupled with the presence of the police, many would-be offenders in Forest Lake would think twice.