Two men charged over what is believed to be Tasmania's largest ice bust
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Police say the 17 kilograms of methamphetamine or ice would have a street value of about $8.5 million. (Supplied: Tasmania Police)
In short:
Two men have been charged with drug trafficking following the seizure of 17 kilograms of the drug ice in Tasmania's north-west on Friday.
Police say it is believed to be the largest single seizure of the drug in Tasmania, with a street value estimated at $8.5 million.
What's next?
Investigations are continuing and police say further arrests are anticipated.
Police in Tasmania's north-west have seized 17 kilograms of the drug ice, believed to be the largest single seizure of the drug in the state.
Tasmania Police said officers, including those from the state's Joint Organised Crime Task Force, the local drugs and firearms unit and the Special Operations Group, intercepted two vehicles at a beachside car park near Burnie on Friday.
"As a result of the interception, police located and seized 17kg of methamphetamine, which is estimated to have a street value of about $8.5 million," Tasmania Police said in a statement.
A New South Wales man, 40, and a Hobart man, 41 — who police allege is a member of an outlaw motorcycle group — were taken into custody.
Police said during a search of the vehicles and subsequent searches at other locations, about $100,000 in cash was also found, which they allege is "directly linked to the trafficking of drugs into Tasmania".
The two men have been arrested and charged with trafficking in controlled substances and will appear in the Devonport Magistrates Court today.
"The seizure of these 17 kilograms of methamphetamine is one of the most significant seizures ever by Tasmania Police for illicit drugs,"
Detective Inspector Troy Morrisby said.
"We know by seizing the drugs, it will prevent catastrophic harm to individuals and the broader community."
He said the investigation was continuing.
"Although this seizure is an outstanding result, we will be continuing to take steps against the broader criminal network, both in Australia and overseas who participated in this importation and we anticipate further arrests."
Inspector Morrisby said the Joint Organised Crime Task Force, made up of Tasmania Police, the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force and other federal agencies had achieved "several significant results since its inception nearly two years ago".
"This is yet another example of what these partnerships achieve when working collaboratively.
"Organised crime groups should be under no illusion the JOCTF [Joint Organised Crime Task Force] will continue to identify, investigate and dismantle criminal networks seeking to profit from drug harm in Tasmania."
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