Stopped traffic
LEONIE JOHNSON
18Oct07
DRUGS and thousands of dollars were discovered by police in an idling car which the occupants were asleep inside yesterday at Yabulu.
Unknowing good samaritans contacted emergency services after noticing a car sitting with its engine running at the Mobil service station about 1.30am.
Police then stumbled across more than they bargained for while attending the run-of-the-mill call.
Northern Region Drug Squad officer-in-charge Detective Senior Sergeant Mick Walker said a significant amount of cash and speed was discovered.
"A car had been left running at the Mobil at Yabulu," he said.
"People were concerned that there were two occupants inside and were worried for their welfare.
"Police and the Queensland Ambulance Service responded and when the doors were opened drug paraphernalia was seen in the vehicle.
"The couple were asleep.
"A subsequent search of the vehicle has located 195g of methamphetamines (more commonly known as speed), $17,100 in cash and assorted drug paraphernalia."
Det Sen-Sgt Walker said the street value for the drugs was about $60,000.
A 39-year-old man and 44-year-old woman will face Townsville Magistrates Court today.
Det Sen-Sgt Walker said the de facto couple was from interstate and had been living out of a hire car for several months.
They have both been charged with several serious drug offences.
These include trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of a dangerous drug with a circumstance of aggravation, possession of proceeds, possession of a utensil and possession of things used in commission of a crime.
This is the second major drug bust in Townsville in just over a month.
In September more than $170,000 of cannabis, gold bars, cash and a rifle
were detected when police made a massive drug bust near Woodstock.
More than 20kg of cannabis valued at $176,000 was seized, one of the largest cannabis busts in the region this year.
Police found 15 pounds, or 6.8kg, of dried cannabis in the car that was pulled over on the Bruce Highway, near Woodstock.
Then following searches of two properties a further 25 pounds, or 13kg, of cannabis was found buried in a Woodstock backyard.
Police arrested a 51-year-old man and his 39-year-old nephew at the Woodstock property.
The vehicle driver, a 38-year-old Mundingburra man, was also arrested.