The Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services and Minister for Corrective Services The Honourable Bill Byrne MP praised the hard work and dedication of local Gold Coast Police during the presentation of Assistant Commissioner Certificates today at Surfers Paradise. 

The certificates were presented to Detective Senior Constable Leia Urquhart, Detective Senior Constable James McCafferty and Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Toohey for their investigative skills, dedication to duty and professionalism during Operation Lima Exposure. 

Operation Lima Exposure was a high level investigation involving a global drug syndicate. It identified a significant drug importation syndicate which was using Brazilian nationals to transport cocaine into Australia from Brazil.

Gold Coast detectives, with the assistance of the Australian Border Force and the Australian Federal Police, used a number of contemporary policing methods throughout the investigation and their efforts resulted in the arrest of seven offenders on numerous charges involving the importation of cocaine. During the operation, police seized approximately 16 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of almost $5M and Australian currency in excess of $140,000.

Minister for Police Bill Byrne said the bravery and the commitment of officers like these exemplifies the very essence of police officers we see on the Gold Coast.

“I commend the dedication of officer’s right across the state who serve and work in our communities to keep us safe,” Minister Byrne said. 

“These officers here today are a good snapshot of the excellent work that our police men and women are doing each and every day – a lot of the time without any recognition from the public.

“Today I am fortunate to be given the opportunity to thank those officers here today and throughout the Gold Coast and the state for their constant and unwavering professionalism and dedication to duty.

“The Palaszczuk Government committed an extra 266 police this financial year across Queensland and I am happy to say we have now delivered on this commitment.”