Police have charged four people following three separate searches in the North West this week, with officers seizing more than 3.5 kilograms of ice with a potential to cause significant harm to the Tasmanian community.
The ice seized could have resulted in more than 35,000 individual street deals.
A woman was charged with major trafficking after police seized 3.39 kilograms of methylamphetamine (ice) and a significant quantity of GHB during a routine screening at the Spirit of Tasmania terminal on Wednesday afternoon.
Western Drug and Firearms Unit along with Western CIB and a Tasmania Police Drug detection dog conducted a search of a vehicle at the terminal locating and seizing the ice, along with 5 litres of GHB.
A 27-year-old Bracknell woman has since been charged with trafficking (major offence), importation of a controlled drug, dealing with property suspected to be proceeds of crime and other minor drug offences.
She was detained to appear in the Devonport Magistrates Court yesterday.
In an unrelated incident, two people have also been charged with trafficking after police seized 63 grams of methylamphetamine during an alleged evade earlier this week.
Members of Taskforce Scelus attempted to intercept the vehicle during routine patrols at West Ulverstone on Tuesday afternoon, when the driver allegedly evaded officers.
Road spikes were successfully deployed and the driver and passenger - a 29-year-old West Ulverstone man and 24-year-old Newnham woman – were safely taken into custody.
During a subsequent search of the vehicle, police located and seized 63 grams of methylamphetamine, and more than $3000 in cash believed to be proceeds of crime.
Both the driver and passenger were jointly charged with trafficking and minor drug offences.
The man was also charged with evade police (aggravated circumstances), and multiple driving-related offences including unlicensed driving.
They were both remanded in custody with the male to appear at the Burnie Magistrates Court on Friday 16 May and the female to appear at the Burnie Magistrates Court on 4 June.
A third unrelated search at a Devonport residence yesterday morning resulted in a 51-year-old North West man and member of the Outlaws motorcycle gang being charged with multiple drug-related offences including selling a controlled drug.
During the search police located a quantity of methylamphetamine.
The man will be proceeded against for selling a controlled drug, possession of a controlled drug and use of a controlled drug.
He will appear in Devonport Magistrates Court at a later date.
Detective Inspector Michelle Elmer said the drugs seized during both incidents are highly addictive and have the potential to cause significant harm to the community.
"While the incidents were unrelated, the methylamphetamine seized by our officers in the North West in the past few days could have resulted in more than 35,000 individual street deals," she said.
Western District Acting Commander Nathan Johnston said this week's seizures sent a clear message to criminals - you will be targeted.
"Tasmania Police will continue to target offenders who attempt to import illicit substances into Tasmania by conducting both targeted and random screening of persons entering the state by sea and airports," he said.
"Stopping these drugs before they reach our streets has prevented further harm to the Tasmanian community."
Anyone with information about illicit substances is urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au
