Fred Ropati Fiala-Motu charged with multiple drug offences

A man from Tasmania will face court next month charged with allegedly importing more than $1m of ice into the country. LATEST >>

A Gold Coast man will face court next month charged with allegedly importing more than $1m of ice into the country.

Fred Ropati Fiala-Motu, 26, originally from Tasmania and currently living in Southport, was arrested this week in a joint operation between the Tasmania Police Crime and Intelligence Command and the Australian Federal Police.

He was charged with possessing dangerous drugs and other drug offences.

The 26-year-old’s matter was briefly mentioned in the Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday and adjourned to September 19.

He was remanded in custody.

Fiala-Motu is accused of bringing 1kg of methamphetamine into Queensland from overseas in April.

The drugs were intercepted by NSW police and replaced by a replica before arriving.

The replica was found by AFP officers in a Gold Coast house this week.

Police said the real drugs had a street value of $1m.

Tasmania Police reveal their role in $1m international ice bust - August 23

A joint sting involving Tasmania Police and the Australian Federal Police has seen a 26-year-old Gold Coast man charged with drug importation after an alleged attempt to import 1kg of ice into Queensland from overseas was foiled.

Members from the Tasmania Police Crime and Intelligence Command were in Queensland this week to facilitate the man’s arrest.

The drugs were intercepted in New South Wales and had an estimated street value of $1 million.

They were replaced with a “replica consignment” which was later found at a Gold Coast address by the AFP.

Tasmania Police’s Serious Organised Crime Unit are understood to have played a crucial role in the seizure.

“Tasmania Police will continue to work closely with partner agencies to target organised crime groups and detect and disrupt illicit drug activity in Australia,” Detective Senior Sergeant Deearna Rowe said.

The accused moved from Tasmania to Queensland late 2021.

He was charged with importing a border-controlled drug and other drug offences and will appear in the Gold Coast’s Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Man hospitalised in e-scooter crash - August 22

Police are investigating whether speed and alcohol are to blame for an e-scooter crash which left a 37-year-old man in hospital with head injuries in Tasmania’s north overnight.

Emergency services were called to the crash at George Town Road in Newnham about 8.55pm on Monday night.

According to Tasmania Police, the rider was taken to Launceston General Hospital in what appeared to be a serious condition.

But the condition of the rider was found to be stable and non-life threatening after assessment and treatment.

George Town Road was closed for two hours while Northern Crash Investigation Services and Northern Forensic Services investigated what happened.

Police are looking to see if speed and alcohol contributed to the crash.

Sergeant Gavin Chugg of Launceston Police reminded to public of the rules surrounding e-scooters.

“All riders of electric scooters are required to wear helmets, obey speed limits, and not consume alcohol before riding,” he said.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact the Northern Crash Investigation Services on 131 444.

Man flown to hospital after serious crash – August 22

Update: A 70-year-old man has been flown to Royal Hobart Hospital via helicopter following a serious crash on the Murchison Highway earlier today.

The driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was trapped for some time after his vehicle collided with a tree.

The Murchinson Highway near Montezuma Falls Track has now been reopened.

Tasmania Police Crash Investigation Service is currently investigating and yet to determine the cause.

Monday – 2:30pm: A man is trapped in his vehicle after a serious crash in Tasmania’s remote west.

Emergency Services are at the scene of a crash on the Murchison Highway near the Montezuma Falls Track.

Police believe the crash happened about 2.30pm.

One lane of the highway is closed by the SES as crews work to free the driver who is understood to have struck a tree.

More to come …