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Crash at Lalla claims life of 20-year-old

A crash at Lalla has claimed the life of a 20-year-old man. Latest details >>

Tasmania Police
Tasmania Police

For the latest, follow The Beat, the Mercury’s live breaking news blog with the latest traffic, police, fire and ambulance news across the state.

Crash at Lalla claims life of a 20-year-old man

August 9: A 20-year-old man has died after a crash at Lalla, in the state’s north, overnight.

It’s believed the man was driving west on Lalla Road, when his vehicle went off the road, before he crashed into a tree.

Police say the incident occurred about 9:40pm last night.

Initial investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.

Police will look at whether weather, road conditions, speed, drugs or alcohol were contributing factors.

“Police are stressing to everyone at this time of the year, it’s still winter, the roads are still treacherous, it’s dark it’s rainy so take care on the roads and drive to the conditions,” Tasmania Police Insp. Nick Clark said

“No matter if you’re on a country road or the highway, slow down, drive to the conditions.”

Mr Clark said the man lived in the region.

“He lived in that area and his family were from that area,” he said.

“Small communities like this are hit hard.”

Police are urging anyone who might have seen a silver Nissan Navara in the Lilydale area to contact police.

The crash brings the state’s road fatalities for 2024 to 17.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Wynyard man accused of child rape charged

August 8: A 20-year-old man from Wynyard has been accused of raping a child and is set to face court on multiple charges.

It’s alleged the man used social media to make contact with the child and to arrange to meet up in person and commit the offence.

He was arrested on Wednesday.

He’ll appear at the Burnie Magistrates Court on August 29, on charges of rape, penetrative sexual abuse of a young person, indecent assault, and other offences.

Drugs through the mail leads to Risdon Vale man’s arrest

August 8: A package of drugs found in the mail has led police to a Risdon Vale property where a 29-year-old man was arrested and charged with drugs and firearms offences.

Tasmania Police raided the address on the package after officers found 59 grams of methylamphetamine in the mail on Tuesday.

The package had been intercepted at a mail centre in Southern Tasmania,” Detective Inspector David Gill said.

“Following the mail intercept, police yesterday searched a private residence at Risdon Vale allegedly connected to the parcel,” he said.

A semiautomatic gun found in a raid on a property at Risdon Vale. Picture: Tasmania Police
A semiautomatic gun found in a raid on a property at Risdon Vale. Picture: Tasmania Police

“During the search at Risdon Vale, which utilised a number of specialist police resources, we located a quantity of drugs, a stolen shotgun, and a quantity of ammunition.”

“The police investigation into this matter is ongoing, and a further three firearms have been located and seized.”

The man has been charged with eight firearms related offences and two drug-related offences. He was detained and was expected to appear before the Hobart Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Ammunition found in a raid on a property at Risdon Vale. Picture: Tasmania Police
Ammunition found in a raid on a property at Risdon Vale. Picture: Tasmania Police

“Every instance of illegal drugs and firearms in our community is a concern to police,” said Insp Gill.

“Drugs and firearms have the potential to cause significant harm to the community.

“We know criminals use a range of ways in an attempt to import illicit substances into Tasmania, including our mail system, which is why we remain committed to preventing importations through ongoing screenings and targeted searches.”

Insp Gill said there were illegal firearms in the community, and there were people who knew of their existence and location.

“If you know anything about illegal drugs or firearms, I encourage you to provide that information to police, to help us keep the community safe,” he said.

A sawn-off shotgun and ammunition found in a raid on a property at Risdon Vale. Picture: Tasmania Police
A sawn-off shotgun and ammunition found in a raid on a property at Risdon Vale. Picture: Tasmania Police

Police raids net 31 firearms, 20 people charged

August 7: Twenty people have been charged and 31 firearms seized after a series of police raids in the past month in the state’s North.

Among the weapons was a 9mm sub machine gun and a double-barrel 12-guage shotgun, say police.

The raids in July included homes in the Launceston suburb of Norwood as well as on a Deloraine residence and a Launceston hotel.

Firearms seized in several incidents in the state's North over the past month. Picture: Tasmania Police.
Firearms seized in several incidents in the state's North over the past month. Picture: Tasmania Police.

Police said the targeted searches led to 64 individual offences in the past month.

Officers in the district continue to target illegal firearms through searched by the Northern Criminal Investigation Branch with the assistance of specialist police resources.

Police say the Norwood search recovered a firearm stolen from Ravenswood in April this year.

Three people were charged with 19 separate offences.

In July, police seized a 9mm sub-machine gun after the weapon was discharged inside a room at a Launceston hotel.

One of the guns seized by Tasmania Police in raids across the state's North. Picture: Tas Police
One of the guns seized by Tasmania Police in raids across the state's North. Picture: Tas Police

Police recovered the weapon after the man allegedly tried to evade officers.

The weapon was located inside a bag along with a double barrel 12-gauge shotgun – which was also seized.

The man was charged with 15 separate offences.

Nobody was injured during the incident.

Also in July, police conducted a targeted search at a Deloraine residence following a business burglary. They say officers from Longford police recovered two firearms and stolen power tools. One person was charged with nine separate offences.

Acting Detective Inspector Jason Jones said these were only a few examples of the illegal firearms police had recovered.

“Every illegal firearm in our community is a concern – of those seized in the last few weeks many of the firearms were stolen,” he said.

“Illegal and unregistered firearms are a risk to our communities, and we will continue to remove these items from our streets.

“If you have an illegal or unregistered firearm, there is a permanent amnesty in Tasmania and those firearms can be handed into police or a licensed firearms dealer without consequence.”

Anyone with information about illegal firearms in Tasmania is urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au. You can stay anonymous.

Former bikie charged with firearms offences

Police have charged a 51-year-old former bikie with serious firearms offences following a raid on a property in Burnie yesterday where officers allegedly uncovered a guns cache.

Tasmania Police say they found a shortened shotgun, a pistol and a stolen firearm, two gel blasters and a quantity of ammunition.

The man, believed to be a former outlaw motorcycle gang member, was charged with offences relating to trafficking firearms, illegally possessing firearms and ammunition, and breaching family violence orders.

Some of the guns found by Tasmania Police after a raid on a property in Burnie. They have charged a 51-year-old former bikie with firearms offences. Picture: Tas Police
Some of the guns found by Tasmania Police after a raid on a property in Burnie. They have charged a 51-year-old former bikie with firearms offences. Picture: Tas Police

He has been taken into custody to appear in the Burnie Magistrates Court later today.

Police have urged that anyone with information about illegal firearms to contact theme on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au. Informants can remain anonymous.

Man dies after farm ATV crash

August 5, 9.30am: A man in his 50s has died after an ATV crash on a rural property at Lileah, south of Smithton, late last week.

Police and emergency services were called to the private property about 3.30pm last Thursday after reports a man had been seriously injured.

The man was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital, but has since died.

The incident occurred while the rider was herding livestock.

WorkSafe Tasmania was notified and is now investigating the incident.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Man charged after police raids find firearms

August 4, 1pm: A man has been charged with numerous firearms offences after police seized five guns during a raid on at a Waverley residence early Saturday morning.

During the search, Tasmania Police say officers seized two rifles, one of which has been confirmed as being stolen, and three shotguns, as well as ammunition and firearms parts.

A 26-year-old Waverley man was arrested at the scene and has been charged with multiple firearms offences and other offences.

He was bailed to appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court in September.

Police have asked anyone with information about illegal firearms to contact them on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au

Claremont woman threatened and forced to transfer money

Four people have been charged after police say a woman was threatened in her Claremont home with a firearm and forced to transfer funds from her bank account.

The incident allegedly happened about 2am on Friday July 19.

Police say two women and two men have been jointly charged with aggravated armed robbery.

Police say the four people were known to the woman.

A police spokesperson said the incident was reported to police in the following days, and investigations led to searches being done at Granton and Herdmans Cove on July 25.

They say they located firearms and ammunition at two addresses.

Those charged are a 36-year-old man from Granton, a 29-year-old woman from Granton, a 26-year-old man from Swansea and a 23-year-old woman from Montrose.

The man and woman from Granton have also been charged with firearms offences.

They will reappear in court on September 30.

Originally published as Crash at Lalla claims life of 20-year-old

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/tasmania/tasmania-police-swoop-on-waverly-property-and-seize-five-firearms-man-charged/news-story/612c51d2a4fb781893b82b30e4632393