Detectives from Gold Coast Major Organised Crime Squad (MOCS) have closed an operation targeting the trafficking of dangerous drugs and money laundering, resulting in the arrest of 18 people.
Operation Yankee Rumour closed last Thursday day after 11 search warrants were executed at addresses in Kholo, Stones Corner, Burleigh Heads, Tugun, and Fingal Heads (NSW), with support from other specialist units, regional police and New South Wales police.
A protracted investigation
The protracted investigation targeted an alleged drug trafficking and money laundering network operating across South East and North Queensland, with police charging numerous couriers, distributors, customers and alleged organisers since the operation began in December 2025.
Total seizures during the course of the operation included 71kg of methylamphetamine, 10kg of cocaine, 3kg of heroin, 1kg of MDMA, 3 category B rifles, approximately $1.25 million in cash suspected to be the proceeds of crime, steroids, illicit prescription drugs and over 10L of GBL.
Eighteen arrested
Eighteen people have been arrested and charged in relation to the operation, including three alleged syndicate leaders, a 30-year-old Fingal Heads man, a 35-year-old Burleigh Heads man and a 20-year-old Eagleby man who were arrested and charged with drug trafficking offences as a result of yesterday’s tactical action.
Detective Inspector Craig Bowman of the Organised Crime Gangs Group said the operation represents the culmination of nine months of dedicated investigative work targeting a major organised crime syndicate responsible for significant community harm.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
