Killer pills found in raid
POLICE last night were questioning a man after seizing more than 1800 pills they suspect contain a deadly drug being sold in Cairns as ecstasy.
Far Northern Drug Squad detectives raided a house at Kentia St, Palm Cove, about 4pm yesterday after receiving several tip-offs from the public following revelations in The Cairns Post of the drug’s deadly potential.
A unit at Grantala St, Manoora, also was searched. Det Sen-Sgt Mick Dowie said three Clipseal bags, each containing 600 pills, and almost $26,000 in cash were among the items seized from the Palm Cove home.
Each capsule was filled with a brown powder which police will have tested to determine whether it is the same lethal drug they issued a warning about earlier this week.
"These pills are definitely consistent in appearance and colour to what we were looking for," Det Sen-Sgt Dowie said.
Det Sen-Sgt Dowie said on Tuesday his squad had seized pills containing ethylcathinone and 4-methylmethcathinone - drugs which can cause vital organs to shut down. He said the tablets were being sold on the streets as ecstasy to unsuspecting users.
During the Palm Cove raid, police also seized 4kg of hydroponic cannabis, 1g of suspected speed, thousands of empty capsules and about 1kg of powder which also will be analysed.
A man, 37, was being questioned.
Det Sen-Sgt Dowie said a woman from the Grantala St unit was helping police with their investigations.
"We're making further inquiries in relation to other people," he said.
The drug squad received about 15 calls yesterday morning after police warned of the dangers of the pills.
"We've been very happy with the assistance we received from the community," Det Sen-Sgt Dowie said.
Anyone with information about illegal drugs should call the Far Northern Drug Squad on 4030 7109 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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Swoop: A police officer places capsules and suspect powder into evidence bags at a Palm Cove house where drugs and money were found.
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