Tasmania Police are hailing a collaborative operation that they say has disrupted a significant drug importation syndicate and led to the seizure of more than $10 million of amphetamines.
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The operation was led by the Australian Crime Commission and involved Tasmania Police, Queensland Police, Australian Federal Police and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.
Police allege that the drug syndicate is linked to the Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle gang.
Yesterday, police simultaneously searched a number of properties in Tasmania and Queensland. The searches are connected to the alleged seizure of two packages of amphetamines in Hobart on June 23 and 24.
Police allege the packages, each weighing 2kg, were sent from the United Kingdom to Hobart through an international parcel courier service.
Tasmania Police monitored the arrival of the packages and intercepted the drugs before delivery.
Police said that the amphetamines were tested and are of a very high grade. It is understood to have a street value of at least $10 million.
Police allege that when the drugs failed to arrive, the syndicate ordered two further importations of amphetamines from the UK. These two packages allegedly arrived in Queensland over the weekend.
It is alleged that these packages were destined for Tasmania, for distribution through the networks of the Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang.
Queensland Police also seized about $10 million worth of amphetamines during their raids.
THE CHARGES
Queensland
A 28-year-old man and a 25-year-old man were both arrested by the AFP and Queensland Police.
- The 28-year-old has been charged with four counts of importation of commercial quantity of border controlled drug and attempted possession of commercial quality of border controlled drug.
- The 25-year-old has been charged with attempted possession of commercial quantity of border controlled drug.
Both men are due to appear in a Queensland court today.
Both men are allegedly members of the Tasmanian Rebels OMCG (Eastern Shore Chapter) but currently reside in Queensland.
Tasmania
- A 26-year-old man has been charged with trafficking in a controlled substance.
- A 23-year-old man has been charged with trafficking in a controlled substance.
- A 24-year-old man has been charged with supply controlled plant product (Cannabis) and possession of a firearm.
Both men will appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court today.
The 26-year-old is allegedly a member of the Tasmanian Rebels OMCG (Eastern Shore Chapter).