Police have seized about $580,000 in cash hidden in a shopping bag and charged a southern Tasmanian man as part of an ongoing crackdown on alleged drug syndicates.
AFP Detective Sergeant Nick Gibson said the taskforce was committed to preventing organised crime from funnelling illicit cash through Tasmania.
“Criminal networks can use unexplained cash to support other serious criminal activities,” he said.
“The AFP and our partners won’t stop until we have shut down your illegal and harmful activities.”
The Tasmania Joint Organised Crime Taskforce (JOCTF) — combining the resources of the AFP, Tasmania Police, and Australian Border Force — intercepted a 31-year-old man driving near Melton Mowbray on the Midland Highway on 17 August.
A search of his vehicle allegedly uncovered sealed plastic bags of cash concealed inside a cooler bag. Forensic examination confirmed the total value to be around $580,000.
The man appeared in Hobart Magistrates’ Court on 18 August charged with:
- Dealing with property worth more than $100,000 reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime, an offence carrying up to 20 years’ imprisonment; and
- Failure to comply with a 3LA Order, which has a maximum penalty of 10 years.
Police also searched two southern Tasmanian properties allegedly linked to the man, seizing further cash and items of interest.
Tasmania Police Inspector Troy Morrisby said the seizures were part of a long-running investigation into the distribution of illicit drugs.
“This seizure of significant sums of money is the result of dedicated police work,” he said.
“We aim to make further inroads to disrupt the movement of drugs in our community.”
The man was granted bail and will reappear on 6 November. The investigation remains ongoing, and further arrests have not been ruled out.
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