Cocaine ring allegedly supplied through three Hervey Bay pubs
Three well-known Hervey Bay venues have been drawn into a major police drug operation, with four current or former staff among 38 people charged after a months-long investigation into cocaine supply through licensed premises.
Police allege the syndicate used contacts at the Beach House Hotel, Torquay Hotel and sports bar Crafty Cargo Taphouse to distribute cocaine to patrons, following an operation that began in March and culminated in arrests and search warrants this week.
Senior Sergeant Michael Polit of the Wide Bay Criminal Investigation Branch said 38 people had been charged with 148 offences, including 16 people charged with drug trafficking. Four of those charged were employed as bar managers across the three venues.
During the operation, police allege they seized around 3kg of cocaine, more than $75,000 in cash, five vehicles and six firearms, with warrants executed at multiple addresses across the region.
Alleged syndicate head Rowdy James Champney, 25, of Eli Waters, was arrested on August 5 and charged with 24 offences, including trafficking and supplying dangerous drugs and weapons offences. Police allege he ran a distribution network spanning Hervey Bay, Brisbane and Gladstone, including sales at the Torquay Hotel and the Aussie World pub in Palmview.
Three venue managers — Billie James Beech and Kyce Bakr from the Beach House Hotel, and Jack David Grainger from Crafty Cargo — were separately charged with supplying dangerous drugs, police allege, arranging $400-a-gram deals via phone.
All three were granted police bail. Torquay Hotel staffer Connor Joseph Mooney-Hannant, alleged by police to be a manager at the venue, was also charged with drug trafficking and possession.
Police stressed the venue owners are not accused of any wrongdoing or knowledge of the alleged supply.
Torquay Hotel owner Darren Carter said he had only just learned of the charges and had no prior knowledge of the alleged activity, noting the accused "haven't even been on my premises." Beach House Hotel owner Janet Persal said she had not been contacted about the matter and disputed that Beech held a management role, describing him as "just a food and beverage attendant."
Senior Sergeant Polit said the operation underscored the risks drug supply poses to licensed venues and their patrons.
"The supply and use of cocaine has no place in our community and most certainly within our licensed premises," he said. "Hervey Bay relies heavily on the tourism and hospitality industry, and members of our community... deserve to be able to go for a night out at our venues without the risk of being assaulted or confronted by drug affected people."
Those charged are due to face Hervey Bay Magistrates Court from October 8. No pleas have been entered, and investigations are ongoing.
Jonathan Jackson, 11th August 2026
