Two Tasmanian men accused of attempting to smuggle 4kg of cocaine and 3kg of meth into the state, in what the police are calling the “largest seizure” of the drugs in history, have appeared in court.
Craig Aaron Castle, 34, from Elderslie and Joshua Charles Hay, 40, from Swansea are each facing charges of trafficking in controlled substances and firearms offences over the $4.6 million incident.
It is alleged that the duo travelled by fishing boat from Rocky Cape on the north-west coast to Victoria and back to transport the drugs into the state.
In the Hobart Magistrates Court on Wednesday, Castle was released on bail and is set to reappear in the Devonport Magistrates Court on January 25.
Hay will remain in custody over the Christmas period, with his bail application adjourned to January 25.
Southern District Commander Jason Elmer said the two men were intercepted by waiting police at a boat ramp in Rocky Cape after receiving “intelligence and information”.
Police took the men into custody and seized a vehicle and the vessel, along with the drugs and a handgun.
“We are very committed to preventing the importation and distribution of illicit drugs in Tasmania and we have dedicated teams of investigators across the state who investigate these types of matters,” Elmer said.
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“The Southern drugs and firearms unit, who had control of this investigation, have done an outstanding job and we are very proud of their efforts.”
