THE BEAT: Raid uncovers guns, cash, drugs and a home-made explosive

A 27-year-old man has been arrested and charged after police found an improvised home-made explosive device, more than 1000 rounds of ammunition and trafficable quantities of drugs. LATEST POLICE NEWS >>

• REPLAYS: Watch the latest Premier League hockey action
• Families plead for PBS listing for ‘lifesaving’ drug

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.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 12

Weapons charges - Launceston

POLICE say they are hopeful they will be able to get hundreds of guns off the street, following the launch of the Launceston firearms taskforce.

A 27-year-old man was arrested and charged on Wednesday after members of the taskforce found an improvised home-made explosive device, more than 1000 rounds of ammunition and trafficable quantities of drugs.

The search that was carried out on Monday at a South Launceston address also uncovered a trafficable quantity of methylamphetamine and another drug believed to be speed, $86,000 in cash and three pistols.

Detective Inspector Craig Fox said the discovery of the home-made explosive device was particularly concerning.

“It’s extremely dangerous to build and it’s extremely dangerous to police and anyone who comes across these devices,” he said.

Ammunition, guns and drugs seized by the Launceston firearms taskforce.

So far 35 searches have been conducted and 19 firearms seized by the taskforce, which was established last month, and at least 19 people have been charged.

Inspector Fox said on Wednesday a search was completed at a local home and three sawn-off shotguns were seized.

“Our officers are out there every day conducting searches and we’re appealing for that information we have been receiving over the last three to four weeks to continue – it’s a real driving part of how we are granting our search warrants to go into places,” he said.

The South Launceston man was charged with trafficking in a controlled substance, possessing a controlled drug, dealing with proceeds of crime and multiple firearms offences.

Police have not ruled out further arrests as their investigations continue.

The man has been bailed and will appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court on June 16.

A gun amnesty will be held in northern Tasmania on Saturday with residents encouraged to take their firearms to the Carrick Community Centre, Newnham Police Station, Pipers River Fire Station and St Helens Police Station between 10am and 2pm.

Inspector Scott Flude said while a permanent gun amnesty is in place in Tasmania, these targeted efforts have previously had good results.

“Each time we have done one of these we have taken between 50 and 100 guns off the street,” he said.

Those who can’t make it to the locations can contact Deloraine Police Station and police will collect the firearms from private residences.

TUESDAY, MAY 11

Launceston highway crash

A crash on the Midland Highway is causing traffic chaos with cars at a stand still for kilometres on the highway heading into Launceston.

Police say the single vehicle crash happened shortly before 8am this morning.

There are no serious injuries reported.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area.

Man seriously injured in single vehicle rollover on Flinders Island

Police say a man who was seriously injured after flipping his car on Flinders Island overnight was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

A 33 year old man has been seriously injured in a single vehicle rollover on Flinders Island overnight.

About 6.15pm last night, a single vehicle with a solo driver crash occurred on Wingaroo Road near the property Markana Park, Flinders Island.

Police said the driver was heading south on Wingaroo Road in a Toyota Hilux single cab flat tray when he failed to negotiate a slight right hand continuous bend in the gravel road.

The vehicle slid sideways for approximately 20m and then rolled a number of times, coming to rest on its roof.

The man was not wearing a seatbelt.

Volunteer ambulance, SES and TFS personnel attended the scene, and the man was taken to Whitemark Hospital and later flown to Royal Hobart Hospital via helicopter, where he remains in a serious but stable condition.

Investigations into the crash are continuing but police said early indicators suggest inattention was a contributing factor.

Anyone with information should contact Flinders Island Police on 131444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800333000 or crimestopperstas.com.au

MONDAY, MAY 10

A MAN who police were searching for using a CCTV image among other clues has been charged with the armed robbery of the Lighthouse Hotel.

The 31-year-old Penguin man allegedly approached the Ulverstone hotel’s gaming lounge bar overnight on May 2 with what looked to be a firearm barrel and ordered the female employee to hand over the cash register.

CCTV footage of an alleged armed robber at the Lighthouse Hotel in Ulverstone. Picture: Supplied

She emptied the money into the man’s small blue backpack and he left through the carpark exit.

Tasmania Police recounted the eventful arrest, which occurred just over a week after the original incident.

“The man was arrested at a residence in Penguin earlier today where he attempted to evade police before crashing his vehicle into a power pole,” police said in a statement.

The man will appear in an after hours court on Monday night.

Tasman Bridge incident

City-bound traffic has been affected by an ‘incident’ on Hobart’s Tasman Bridge.

It is unclear what is unfolding on the bridge but a passer-by reported seeing two police cars and a tow truck stopped on the left city-bound lane.

Police urge motorists to avoid the area until further notice

Crash Midland Highway

Update: All lanes are open and emergency Services are now clear of the earlier crash on the Midland Highway at Prospect.

Initial: Emergency Services are responding to a three vehicle accident on Midland Highway at Prospect.

One lane heading into Launceston is currently blocked.

Traffic is moving slowly, motorist are asked to avoid the area if possible.

There are only minor injuries reported.

SUNDAY, MAY 09

SES, fire crew rescue dog from mine shaft

A PET dog has been rescued by the SES and Tasmania Fire Service after falling down an abandoned mine shaft near Beaconsfield.

Bear, a German shepherd owned by local resident Emma, went missing in the early hours of Sunday morning and was found down the mineshaft near High St in South Beaconsfield.

TFS and SES crews set up a ladder and harnesses as they prepare to rescue pet dog Bear.

Emergency crews were alerted who arrived on the scene at first light to retrieve the distressed dog using ladders, harnesses and ropes.

Brigade Chief Todd Russell – who knows a thing or two about being trapped underground – said Bear was quickly reunited with his owners.

Beaconsfield mine survivor describes impact of his lost anonymity

TFS and SES crews with rescued pet dog Bear at Beaconsfield.

“We honestly cannot thank you all enough! You were all so lovely, kind, professional and we are so grateful for what you did for our fur baby! Bear is so lucky you all came along to his rescue,” Emmy Lou commented on Facebook.

Mr Russell and his work colleague Brant Webb were trapped underground for two weeks at Beaconsfield in April 2006. Their workmate Larry Knight died in the mine collapse that trapped the two miners.