Guns, explosives and drugs have been seized by police as part of an ongoing Northern taskforce targeting illegal firearms.
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Tasmania Police Detective Inspector Craig Fox said a total of 17 illegal firearms were seized by police, as a result of 20 searches conducted over the past two weeks.
"The public should feel safer these guns are now in our hands, not the hands of criminals," he said.
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"The 17 firearms we have taken off the street will hopefully make a big dent in the criminal element in Launceston."
The haul included a grenade, a replica glock pistol, shotguns and sawn off shotguns, two tasers, ammunition, drugs - including cocaine, heroin, ice and cannabis - and stolen property.
Six men have been charged with a range of offences due to the raids.
The charges include:
- A 22-year-old Invermay man was charged last week with wounding, aggravated assault, firearm offences, attempted motor vehicle stealing and drug offences and appeared in court yesterday. He's been bailed to reappear next month.
- A 24-year-old Ravenswood man was charged with a range of firearm and drug offences. He has appeared in Launceston Magistrates Court, due back next month.
- A 20-year-old Newnham man was charged with a range of firearm and drug offences. He has appeared in Launceston Magistrates Court, due back next month.
- A 35-year-old Invermay man charged with numerous firearms offices, dealing in the proceeds of crime, possessing a controlled drug and carrying a firearm with intent to commit a crime. He has appeared in Launceston Magistrates Court, due back later this month.
- A 38-year-old Rocherlea man charged with breach of bail and possessing a dangerous article in public. He has appeared in Launceston Magistrates Court, due back later this month.
- A 32-year-old Exeter man charged with possessing a shortened firearm, failing to report a theft of a firearm and failing to comply with storage requirements of a firearm. Bailed to appear in Launceston Magistrates Court next month.
All but the 22-year-old Invermay man were new charges.
Detective Inspector Craig Fox said the recent increase in gun related crimes continued to be concerning to police, and many of those were still active investigations.
"We are expecting that soon we will be able to announce further charges in relation to some of those incidents," he said.
"We have cleared about five or six of those public place shootings."
Detective Inspector Fox said the firearms collected were being tested through ballistics to see if they matched any of the crime scenes.
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An amnesty drive will also be conducted be police as part of the taskforce, which will allow people to get rid of guns in their possession without prosecution.
Detective Inspector Fox said the taskforce would continue long term.
"Definitely the results speak for themselves," he said.
"I think what we are doing is working. We are sending a clear message to the criminals that have got these guns that we are looking for them and we are after them."
Police are encouraging people to come forward if they have information to help the taskforce.