A further 11 activists have been charged with trespass over vegan protests on farming land across South East Queensland.
Detectives from the Major and Organised Crime Squad (Rural), State Crime Command and police officers from the Darling Downs, Moreton, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast moved yesterday to charge 11 people following investigations into alleged trespassing incidents in late March and early April at the Lemontree Feedlot, Millmerran, and Carey Brothers abattoir at Yangan.
The latest 11 people charged were arrested at locations across South East Queensland on Tuesday afternoon and overnight on 18 charges, including unlawfully entering farming land and drug offences.
A 29-year-old woman and 26-year-old man, both from Margate, and allegedly the main organisers of the Lemontree Feedlot protest in late March, were previously charged with unlawfully entering farming land on April 5 and were granted police bail to appear in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on May 9.
The man has since been arrested again at a protest at the Eatons Hill Rodeo on April 6, but was released without further charge.
Tuesday's arrests bring the total number of people charged over the incidents to 13.
Detective Superintendent Jon Wacker of the State Crime Command's Drug and Serious Crime Group said the charges followed formal complaints from property owners targeted by unauthorised protests.
"The Queensland Police Service respects the right of people to protest in a peaceful manner, however we have a duty to ensure the safety of protesters, farm workers and property owners," Detective Superintendent Wacker said.
"Unauthorised protests in and around farmlands and industrial areas create significant personal and workplace safety risks.
"We will take enforcement action whenever necessary to ensure the safety of the community and to protect the rights of people to feel safe in their homes and at their place of work."
Investigations are continuing.
The protesters will face court in a number of locations across the South East.