Nearly half a million dollars worth of drugs were seized during a major police operation in Launceston.
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More than 40 Tasmania Police officers as well as officers from Australian Border Force executed searches at properties at Newstead and Waverley on Thursday, seizing ecstasy, ice, heroin, cannabis and other chemicals.
Two people had been charged over the seizures on Friday morning, with police expecting to make further arrests.
During the raids, police also found suspected stolen property including 11 firearms, ammunition, firearm scopes, a boat, motorbikes, a quad bike, bicycles, power tools, fishing and boating gear and an old police car roof light.
Detective Inspector Gary Williams said Operation Alert was ongoing, but it was so far a success for Tasmania Police.
“It is a significant seizure for Tasmania Police and it is a significant seizure for the community,” he said.
“Drugs of this nature cause harm in the community … and any seizure of this magnitude certainly is a good news story for us and we are hoping it minimises the harm.”
The majority of the drugs found was amphetamine, and police believe it was intended for “local consumption”.
“Tasmania is not immune to the scourge of amphetamine, but finding that amount in one search is not something that happens very often,” Detective Inspector Williams said.
The property found was suspected to have been stolen up to 12 months ago, from a range of locations.
“There are items that have only been stolen just recently … but we’re still working through those at the moment.
“There is a substantial amount of analysis and evidence gathering that needs to continue now, the search is probably, tongue in cheek, the easiest part of what we’ve done so far.
“The actual hard work comes now.”
A 36-year-old man was charged with trafficking in a controlled substance and a 39-year-old man was charged with unlawful possession of stolen property.
“We do expect further charges to be laid.”
To report information to police anonymously contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.