Tasmania Police have seized 3 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of $4.5 million, after raids on two properties in the northern Hobart suburb of Glenorchy on Friday.
Police said the bust was one of the largest, single seizures of methamphetamine for the state in recent years, with the 3kg of ice enough for up to 30,000 individual drug deals.
Police arrested two men, aged 51 and 58, who appeared before the Hobart Magistrates Court on Saturday.
Australian Federal Police's Detective Sergeant Aaron Hardcastle said the illegal importation was detected on Monday when Australian Border Force officers at a mail facility in Victoria discovered four sealed bags of white crystals concealed in a consignment of camping equipment destined for Tasmania from Spain.
He said police replaced the drugs with a harmless substance then monitored the parcel as it moved between multiple addresses within the Glenorchy area.
"We got to the point where an operational decision was made to enter the final premises where the package was, and discovered that the drugs had been removed and separated from the consignment and attempted to be concealed in that red bag," Sergeant Hardcastle said.
Glenorchy men to face court
Craig Douglas Fisher, 58, was arrested at home and has been charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.
Mark Anthony Chatters, 51, has been charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.
The maximum penalty for these offences is life imprisonment.
Commander Tony Cerritelli of Tasmania Police said today's announcement should send a clear message to would-be criminals.
"Police not only work hard to seize illicit substances, they also work to disrupt syndicates and networks responsible for the distribution of them," he said.
"Today is a clear example on remaining focussed on serious drug distribution to keep our community safe.
"It's important to remember that every street deal seized is one less deal of illicit substances in our community that could impact our families, friends and the broader community."
The investigation was a joint operation between Tasmania Police, Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force.
Both men are yet to enter pleas and have been remanded in custody until Monday.
