Two specialist ice investigators, promised in the lead-up to the 2018 election, are still yet to start work

Tasmania Police is determined to continue its war against illegal drugs, despite still waiting on two specialist drug investigators promised in the lead-up to the 2018 election.

A CRACK team of ice investigators appointed as part of the State Government’s push for Tasmania to boast the lowest use of crystal methamphetamine in the nation by 2022 is yet to start work.

The Government promised in the lead-up to the 2018 election that two specialist ice investigators would be attached to drug squads in each region and work with the state’s seven drug detection dogs.

Police Minister Michael Ferguson yesterday said the commitment would ensure Tasmania Police was well positioned to tackle the illegal drug trade.

But he said the timing of the specialists’ roll-out was still being determined.

“While cannabis remains the most commonly used illicit drug in Tasmania, crystal methamphetamine – or ice – is of the greatest concern because it is more potent, more dangerous and more addictive than any other illegal drug,” Mr Ferguson said.

TASMANIA POLICE INVESTIGATION RESULTS IN DRUG BUSTS WORTH $2.7M

“The Government is fighting back against the destructive impact that drugs such as ice have on our local communities and we are the strongest supporters of Tasmania Police as they crack down on drug trafficking.”

The investigators have undergone additional training, with a focus on targeting, disrupting and preventing ice trafficking.

Last year drug and alcohol counselling service Holyoake Tasmania reported that one third of its clients were ice users and CEO Sarah Charlton told the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement that children as young as 10 years old are using the drug.

MORE OF TODAY’S NEWS:

BASSLINK GOES DOWN AGAIN, HYDRO CONFIRMS

PUSH FOR FRAGRANCE GROUP TWIN TOWERS REVIVED

AMA QUERIES A SYMPTOM OF A BROKEN HEALTH SYSTEM

TASMANIAN STATE ANTHEM? WHO KNEW WE HAD ONE

In the nine months to March 31 this year, drugs with an estimated street value of more than $10 million – including cannabis, methamphetamine, amphetamine, ecstasy, heroin and cocaine – were taken off the streets by Tasmania Police.

Significant drug seizures included two people being charged with trafficking after 74.3 grams of methylamphetamine, 800 MDA capsules, 55 grams of heroin and 85 grams of cannabis was seized (estimated street value $124,000).

Trafficking charges were also laid against one offender after one kilogram of methylamphetamine was seized with an estimated street value of $1 million.

In the year to March 31, Tasmania Police detected 1968 drug offenders, including 258 charged with serious drug offences.

[e-mail]