Five vacuum-sealed plastic bags, each containing $20,000 in cash, have been seized by police during an incident which began with two men allegedly trying to evade police at Bridgewater.
On 13 May about 2pm, detectives from Bridgewater CIB attempted to intercept a vehicle on Scarlett Lane over a traffic matter, but the driver is alleged to have accelerated away, before stopping in McShane Road.
One man remained with the vehicle, while another man who was a front seat passenger is alleged to have fled the scene on foot.
During a subsequent search of the McShane Road area, uniformed officers from Bridgewater Police located the man outside a private residence, where he was safely taken into custody.
Police allege the man had a bag in his possession at the time which contained five, vacuum-sealed plastic bags, each containing bundles of $20,000 in cash.
Police suspect the $100,000 may be connected to the procurement, sale and distribution of illicit drugs in southern Tasmania.
Further investigations resulted in Bridgewater detectives, with the support of officers from Glenorchy CIB and Southern Drugs and Firearms Unit, conducting searches of a Bridgewater property and two hotel rooms in Hobart.
A 50-year-old Bridgewater man faces charges including:
• Dealing with proceeds of crime
• Wilfully obstruct a police officer
• Supplying a controlled drug
• Passenger failing to wear a seatbelt.
A 67-year-old Lenah Valley man faces charges including:
• Evade police (aggravated)
• Resist a police officer
• Drive while not the holder of a driver's licence
• Possess a controlled drug.
Investigations into the matter are continuing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers Tasmania on 1800 333 000. Please quote Offence Report No. 805413 and 805404.
