Tasmania breaking news: Police seize more than 3.5kg of methylamphetamine in North-West
Three separate drug busts have resulted in the seizure of more than 3.5kg of ice in the state’s North-West, putting a stop to 35,000 potential individual street deals, police say.
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Three separate drug busts net more than 3.5kg of ice
May 16, 12.13pm: Police have this week seized more than 3.5kg of methylamphetamine in the state’s North-West after a series of unrelated drug busts, which may have prevented upwards of 35,000 potential individual street deals.
Charges have been laid against four people in the wake of the police searches.
Detective Inspector Michelle Elmer described the drugs that were seized as “highly addictive”, adding that they had “the potential to cause significant harm to the community”.
“While the incidents were unrelated, the methylamphetamine seized by our officers in the North-West in the past few days could have resulted in more than 35,000 individual street deals,” she said.
A 27-year-old Bracknell woman was charged with trafficking, importation of a controlled drug, dealing with property suspected to be proceeds of crime, and other minor drug offences.
Police allege she was caught with 3.39kg of methylamphetamine, otherwise known as ice, during a routine screening at the Spirit of Tasmania terminal on Wednesday.
The woman was also in possession of 5 litres of GHB, Tasmania Police alleges.
She was detained to appear in the Devonport Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Earlier this week, members of Taskforce Scelus arrested a 29-year-old West Ulverstone man and a 24-year-old Newnham woman after they allegedly attempted to evade police at West Ulverstone on Tuesday afternoon.
A police search of the vehicle located 63g of ice and more than $3000 in cash, which was alleged to be proceeds of crime.
The driver and passenger were taken into custody and jointly charged with trafficking and minor drug offences, while the man was also charged with evade police (aggravated circumstances), and multiple driving-related offences, including unlicensed driving.
The pair were remanded in custody and the man is appearing in the Burnie Magistrates Court on Friday, while the woman will appear on June 4.
A third separate search at a Devonport residence on Thursday morning led to a 51-year-old North-West Tasmanian man, a member of the Outlaws motorcycle gang, being hit with multiple drug charges, including selling a controlled drug, possession of a controlled drug, and use of a controlled drug.
Police found “a quantity” of ice at the property and the man will appear in the Devonport Magistrates Court at a later date.
Western District Acting Commander Nathan Johnston said the drug seizures “sent a clear message to criminals”.
“Tasmania Police will continue to target offenders who attempt to import illicit substances into Tasmania by conducting both targeted and random screening of persons entering the state by sea and airports,” he said.
“Stopping these drugs before they reach our streets has prevented further harm to the Tasmanian community.”
Police search for missing Rokeby man
May 16, 10.30am: A search is continuing on Hobart’s eastern shore for a 63-year old man who has been reported missing, with serious concerns held for his safety.
Police search and rescue officers, uniform patrols and aerial searches including police drones and a helicopter began the search overnight after the Rokeby man was reported missing about 4pm on Thursday
The last confirmed sighting of the man was near his home at Rokeby.
Police and the man’s family have serious concerns for his welfare as they say he lives with a medical condition, and he will be in urgent need of medication.
A police spokesman said the man was last seen wearing black track pants with a black top and could be identified by a walking style that has a distinct shuffle and forward-leaning posture.
Man accused of burnouts at Hotel Bruny
May 14, 10.45am: A man has been accused of leaving Hotel Bruny on Monday evening and then performing burnouts in his vehicle in the gravel carpark of the hotel, police say.
Officers said they have charged the Kingston man accused of the hooning offences, and also say the 30-year-old was driving without a licence.
Police said they used CCTV footage to help identify the driver from the incident — who had been visiting the island.
Senior Constable Ashley Hopwood said the matter had been reported to police by members of the community.
“This sort of driving behaviour is reckless, and it puts innocent people at risk,” Senior Constable Hopwood said.
“Police are committed to keeping our roads as safe as possible and hoons should be warned that this type of behaviour can lead to loss of licence, vehicle confiscation, vehicle destruction and significant fines.
“Anyone who witnesses dangerous driving on our roads should contact police on 131 444, or Triple-Zero (000) in an emergency.
“If you can’t call at the time, but you have dashcam or other footage, you can upload it to our evidence portal at police.tas.gov.au/report.”
Driver allegedly dodged police while drunk
May 13, midday: A Kingston driver has been accused of high-range drink driving and allegedly attempting to evade police over the weekend.
Police alleged they attempted to pull over a white Ford Ranger ute to conduct an alcohol and drug test in the Kingston area on Sunday about 1am.
Officers said the vehicle attempted to evade police several times and was caught a short time later.
The 40-year-old man allegedly returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.159 — more than three times the legal limit.
Police arrested the man — who was also instantly disqualified from driving for two years — and is set to appear in court at a later date.
He faces drink driving and other serious traffic offence charges, police confirmed.
“Police remind the public that drink and drug driving on our roads places obvious risks to drivers, the community, and emergency responders,” said Senior Sergeant Peter Borish.
“High range drink driving can have deadly consequences.”
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