The Mornington Island Community is impacted by the harmful effects of alcohol abuse which contributes to alcohol fuelled violence, child neglect and negative social behaviours.
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Despite the community being subject to an alcohol management plan with a zero alcohol limit, the prevalence of crude home-brewed alcohol is an ongoing challenge for police and the community.
Commencing on Friday, September 20, officers from Mornington Island Police Station and the Mount Isa Tactical Crime Squad, executed a number of search warrants in relation to alcohol and dangerous drug offences.
On this date, police received information that three people travelling from Cairns to Mornington Island were allegedly in possession of alcohol and had planned to bring this alcohol onto the island to sell for profit.
Upon their arrival on the island, a search was conducted of the three passengers' luggage, locating 12 bottles of spirits which were seized and destroyed.
A total of 12 search warrants were executed over the weekend, resulting in the seizure and destruction of approximately 53 litres of home brew alcohol and nine litres of commercial spirits.
Thirty-four people were arrested and charged with a total of 46 offences including: wounding, possess knife in public place, contravene domestic violence order, possession of alcohol in a restricted area, produce dangerous drug, possession of a dangerous drug and possession of utensil.
All will appear in Mornington Island Magistrates Court on October 9.
A seizure of this size is a great outcome for local police and has a significant impact on disrupting the illegal distribution of alcohol to people within the Mornington Island community.
Acting Senior Sergeant Shane Smith said police will continue to work with the community of Mornington Island, in order to keep all residents safe.
"Operations like this will continue, whilst people in the community will continue to produce and import alcohol," Acting Senior Sergeant Smith said.
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