A major police operation spanning Machans Beach, Mareeba and Mount Molloy has led to the arrest of two men over an alleged kidnapping, extortion and drug‑trafficking network that investigators believe may have links to an outlaw motorcycle gang.
Operation Yankee Novi was launched on January 22 after reports a woman had been kidnapped and held at a Machans Beach property. Detectives from multiple units including the Major and Organised Crime Squad Far Northern, Cairns CIB, Tablelands CIB and Smithfield CIB, all joined forces to investigate.
Across five coordinated search warrants, officers allegedly uncovered significant quantities of methylamphetamine, cocaine, cannabis, drug utensils and electronic devices at properties in Mareeba, Mount Molloy, Trinity Beach and Machans Beach.
A 31‑year‑old Mareeba man and a 36‑year‑old Mount Molloy man were arrested on January 28 and are now facing a long list of serious charges. These include multiple counts of drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, possessing Schedule 1 drugs, and failing to provide access to electronic information. Both men were denied bail and will reappare in Mareeba Magistrates Court today.
Police allege one of the men is associated with the Lone Wolf Outlaw Motorcycle Gang and was involved in trafficking methylamphetamine throughout the Far North.
