Police have delivered a major blow to the operations of organised crime in Tasmania with detectives arresting two men for alleged drug trafficking and seizing 17kg of methamphetamine in a targeted search near Burnie – believed to be the largest single seizure of methamphetamine (ice) in the state.
Officers from the Tasmania Joint Organised Crime Task Force, in partnership with investigators from Western Drugs and Firearms Unit and the Special Operations Group, last Friday (18 September) intercepted two vehicles at a beachside car park near Burnie.
Two men were taken safely into custody. They were a 40-year-old man from NSW and a 41-year-old man from Hobart, who police allege is a member of an Outlaw Motorcycle Group.
As a result of the interception, police located and seized 17kg of methamphetamine which is estimated to have a street value of about $8.5 million.
Further, during the search of the vehicles and subsequent searches at other locations, assisted by the Southern Drugs and Firearms Unit, police located about $100,000 in cash they allege is directly linked to the trafficking of drugs into Tasmania.
The men have been charged with trafficking in controlled substances and have been detained to appear in Devonport Magistrates Court today.
Detective Inspector Troy Morrisby of Tasmania Police Serious Organised Crime Unit said the seizure sent a clear message to organised crime groups.
“The seizure of these 17 kilograms of methamphetamine is one of the most significant seizures ever by Tasmania Police for illicit drugs. We know by seizing the drugs, it will prevent catastrophic harm to individuals and the broader community,” he said.
Detective Inspector Morrisby highlighted the importance of the relationship between State and Commonwealth law enforcement partners in disrupting illicit drugs in Tasmania.
“The Joint Organised Crime Task Force represents an ongoing partnership between Tasmania Police, the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force and other key Commonwealth agencies that has achieved several significant results since its inception nearly two years ago,” Detective Inspector Morrisby said.
“This is yet another example of what these partnerships achieve when working collaboratively. Organised crime groups should be under no illusion the JOCTF will continue to identify, investigate and dismantle criminal networks seeking to profit from drug harm in Tasmania.”
“I can indicate our investigation remains ongoing, and although this seizure is an outstanding result, we will be continuing to take steps against the broader criminal network, both in Australia and overseas who participated in this importation and we anticipate further arrests.”
Tasmania Police encourages anyone with information relating to drug trafficking or organised crime to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.
