A QUEENSLAND man has been charged after police seized methylamphetamine and cocaine from a vehicle on the Spirit of Tasmania.
Australian Federal Police and Tasmania Police intercepted the vehicle with help from Spirit of Tasmania staff as the man arrived in Devonport from Geelong on Friday evening.
Police found two kilograms of cocaine and four kilograms of methylamphetamine during a search of the vehicle after the man was screened by drug-detection dogs.
Tasmania Police Assistant Commissioner Rob Blackwood said it was one of the largest seizures of the drugs in Tasmania’s history.
“This equates to about 42,600 street deals of methylamphetamine and 2300 street deals of cocaine,” he said.
“We know illicit drugs cause harm in our community, and we see the very real and wide-reaching impact these drugs have, both on individuals and on our community as a whole.
“As we have said before, anyone seeking to profit by selling harmful drugs to Tasmanians should know we will target them and their activities.
“We are committed to preventing the importation and distribution of these substances, which is why we work so closely with our sea, air and mail corridors to ensure they are not exploited.”
AFP Assistant Commissioner Hilda Sirec said the AFP worked closely with national and international partners to prevent illicit drugs from reaching the community.
“The AFP has been working alongside Tasmania Police to ensure the community remains safe from the threat of criminal syndicates,” AC Sirec said.
“No matter what amount reaches Australian borders, these dangerous substances have devastating impacts that can be life-threatening even in the smallest amounts.”
The 26-year-old man was remanded in custody and was doe to re-appear in the Devonport Magistrates Court on 7 November 2023.
