Officers from the Northern Drugs and Firearms Unit, Criminal Investigation Branch and Taskforce Viper have seized 36 firearms, $45,000 in cash, as well as drugs through targeted operations across the north of the state in the past 30 days.
45 people have been arrested and charged with more than 426 separate offences – with charges relating to firearms, drugs, burglary, assault, stealing, and family violence.
Detective Inspector Nathan Johnston said police remained committed to community safety.
“Crimes involving firearms are treated extremely seriously – which is why we remain committed to removing illegal and dangerous firearms from our community,” he said.
“We also know drugs and illegal firearms often go hand in hand and that is why we will continue to target anyone seeking to profit by selling harmful and highly addictive drugs to Tasmanians.
“We encourage anyone in possession of illegal or homemade firearms to hand them over to police. Tasmania is the only jurisdiction with a permanent firearms amnesty – this allows people with unregistered, unwanted firearms to hand them in without fear of prosecution. There are no penalties associated with surrendering firearms during an amnesty regardless of how they may have come into people’s possession.”
If you have information about illegal firearms, or illicit drugs, you can report anonymously to Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000 or online.
