ACT drug trafficker found hiding in QLD’s Hideaway Bay

A 39-year-old Campbell man found hiding in an Airbnb in the Whitsundays town of Hideaway Bay has been extradited to the ACT to face drug trafficking and drug-related charges.

In 2025, ACT Policing commenced an investigation into the alleged large-scale trafficking of methylamphetamine, heroin and cocaine in the ACT.

Police will allege the man was involved in supplying significant quantities of controlled and prohibited drugs to multiple individuals.

A series of search warrants executed on the man’s Campbell residence and his vehicle in December (2025) located substantial quantities of controlled drugs, along with cash, drug paraphernalia, and items believed to be associated with drug distribution. Police seized:

• More than 2.8 kilograms of methylamphetamine

• More than 350 grams of cocaine

• More than 14 grams of heroin

• More than 5,000 buprenorphine strips

• Testosterone

• Other items alleged to be consistent with drug trafficking

Police will further allege that mobile devices seized during the investigation contained encrypted communications between the man and others relating to the supply of illicit drugs.

It will also be alleged that the man failed to comply with a lawful order requiring him to provide access to two mobile devices seized during the investigation.

Following the execution of warrants in December 2025, the man fled the ACT. He was located by Queensland Police on Saturday (7 March 2026), allegedly hiding in an Airbnb in Hideaway Bay in the Whitsundays that had been rented under another person’s name.

During a search of the accommodation, officers located a fake driver’s licence featuring the man’s image, as well as multiple bank cards in other names.