Tasmania breaking news: 26yo charged with drug trafficking after Geelong to Devonport ferry trip

A man who allegedly tried to smuggle $5m worth of cocaine and meth into the state has been nabbed in what police say is one of the largest seizures of its kind in the state’s history. WATCH THE VIDEO.

A Queensland man who allegedly tried to smuggle $5m worth of cocaine and meth into the state has been nabbed in what police say is one of the largest seizures of its kind in the state’s history.

The 26-year-old man was intercepted with the help of Spirit of Tasmania, Tasmania Police personnel and Australian Federal Police, who inspected his vehicle after he arrived into Devonport from Geelong on Friday evening.

Drug detection dogs allegedly found “significant quantities” of methylamphetamine – approximately four kilograms, and two kilograms of cocaine in the boot of his vehicle.

The man had allegedly travelled from Geelong to Devonport on the Spirit of Tasmania before sniffer dogs were said to have detected the drugs in his vehicle. Photo Yvonne Mitchell

Tasmania Police Assistant Commissioner Rob Blackwood said this was one of the “biggest seizures” of methylamphetamine and cocaine in the state’s history and would “go a long way to reducing harm” on Tasmania’s streets.

“This equates to about 42,600 street deals of methylamphetamine and 2,300 street deals of cocaine,” Assistant Commissioner Blackwood said.

He said those who were looking to profit of the illicit drug industry by selling substances to Tasmanians should “know we will target them”.

“We are committed to preventing the importation and distribution of these substances, which is why we work so closely with our sea, air and mail corridors to ensure they are not exploited,” he said.

Police seized large amounts of methylamphetamine and cocaine, allegedly from the boot of a car owned by a Queensland man on the Spirit of Tasmania. AFP Assistant Commissioner Hilda Sirec and Tasmania Police Assistant Commissioner Rob Blackwood. Picture: Linda Higginson

Speaking to media on Tuesday morning, AFP Assistant Commissioner Hilda Sire said the AFP had been working alongside Tasmania Police to keep the community safe from the “threat of criminal syndicates”.

“We know that offshore syndicates around the world are looking to target Australia and we have a prolific demand for drugs in Australia,” she said.

“We want to send that message out that we are not open for business in Australia and will stop those drugs coming in.”

Police did not confirm the origin of the drugs found or whether they were part of a criminal syndicate.

Instead, they said the bust was a matter “in their continuing investigation”.

The 26-year-old man was charged with drug trafficking and remanded in custody.

He appeared in Devonport Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Originally published as Tasmania breaking news: 26yo charged with drug trafficking after Geelong to Devonport ferry trip