Operation Whiskey Legion completes 8-day deployment in the Capricornia area

310 people have been charged with 652 offenses following a major multi-level operation in Central Queensland over the past eight days.

Operation Whiskey Legion began in Capricornia County last Wednesday with targeted efforts to reduce crime in the county.

The operation, which saw local police team up with specialist police from the Crime and Intelligence Directorate, Dog Squad, Highway Patrol and Crime Stoppers, was rolled out in Rockhampton, Gladstone and Emerald.

Since Wednesday, 281 adults have been charged with 565 offenses and 29 youths have been charged with 87 offences.

Police executed 49 search warrants, conducted 131 hot spot patrols and 21 bail/curfew enforcement checks.

A 26-year-old Cavan man has been charged following reports of a white Mercedes-Benz being stolen on October 18.

A vehicle is believed to have been stolen in Gracemere at around 10.38pm.

Police located the vehicle at an address on Yaamba Street and soon tracked the man to Shillam Street.

A 26-year-old man is charged with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, possession of dangerous drugs and possession of utensils.

He is due to appear again at Rockhampton Magistrates’ Court on December 11.

A 44-year-old Biloela man was charged following a search warrant in Biloela on October 22.

It is alleged that seven firearms were recovered from the Biloela premises, as well as a quantity of ammunition.

He is charged with three counts of possession of a shortened firearm, two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon and one count of obtaining tainted property and authority necessary to possess explosives.

The man is due to appear at Biloela Magistrates’ Court on December 4.

Coordinated operations carried out 87 rounds of shopping centers and safe night zone areas during the eight-day deployment.

As part of the search operations, a 31-year-old Keene Cora man was charged with possession of a small knife in West Gladstone on October 17.

The man is believed to have been in possession of a knife in a public place for no reasonable or lawful reason at around 4.15pm.

Part of the operation focused on improving road safety, with the Highway Patrol conducting 7,641 roadside breath tests and 369 roadside drug tests, and issuing 461 traffic citations.

Capricornia Police emphasized community relations throughout the operation, interacting with 834 community and business representatives.

Acting Capricornia District Superintendent Mark Burgess said the increased policing has produced excellent results across the district and will continue beyond the rollout.

“This week we have seen great efforts from our local officers teaming up with specialist units and this will continue beyond Operation Whiskey Legion,” Superintendent Burgess said.

“We will continue to pursue those who cause the greatest harm to our community, continue to build relationships with local residents and continue to support our most vulnerable people.”

Police also contacted 346 victims and referred 68 people to support services.

Part of the event included a day spent speaking with family members of victims of recent murders and unfound missing people.

Cheryl O’Sullivan, whose daughter Karen Gilliland tragically died in a domestic homicide in Rockhampton in June 2020, is one of many family members of the victims spoken to regularly across the county.

She said more than four years after her daughter was killed, she continues to receive support and communication from the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Shane Pearce and others.

“They came to court with us, they came to our house… they came to the funeral… I can’t blame them,” Cheryl O’Sullivan said.

“They’re there if we ever need them.”

Detective Sergeant Shane Pearce, from Rockhampton’s Criminal Investigations Branch (CIB), said building links with families was not limited to the courts.

“Many people believe that once an investigation has gone to court, the police don’t get involved,” Detective Sergeant Pearce said.

“When we say ‘close the loop’ we mean supporting the victims’ families and keeping them informed of any updates, and there is no time limit on this.”

In August 2022, Susan Duffy was killed in Rockhampton in a domestic homicide.

Duffy’s family also expressed their gratitude to the police for their support, which continues to this day.

“Hope has been the focus of the investigators, leadership and unwavering support throughout the most difficult periods of our lives, in our darkest days. Their confidence and understanding have helped us cope with the uncertainty and pain we face,” said Gavin Duffy.

Operation Whiskey Legion will continue to be carried out in Queensland communities.

It has so far charged 3,999 people with 9,806 offences, spoken to 44,840 people in the community and provided support to 4,706 victims across the state.