A routine roadside operation has led to a significant drug bust on one of Tasmania’s busiest highways, with police seizing approximately half a kilogram of methamphetamine from a vehicle.
The discovery came during Random Alcohol and Drug Testing on the Midlands Highway south of Campbell Town on Friday afternoon.
A police drug detection dog indicated positive responses to several vehicles at the testing site, leading officers to conduct further searches.
In one vehicle, police discovered the substantial quantity of methamphetamine, resulting in the arrest of the vehicle’s multiple occupants.
The individuals were transported to the Launceston police station and have been charged with trafficking in a controlled substance, a serious offence that can carry significant penalties.
During the same operation, three other drivers were caught with illicit drugs in their system, while another was charged with driving whilst disqualified.
Tasmania Police expressed concern about the number of drug-affected drivers detected on such a high-speed roadway.
“It was particularly disappointing the people detected were driving on such a busy road as the Midlands Highway, where you can drive at speeds up to 110km/h, whilst drugs were in their system.”
“Alcohol and drugs are one of the fatal five contributors to road deaths in Tasmania,” a police spokesperson said.
“Consequently, we will always undertake these kinds of operations to remove drug and alcohol affected divers from the road”
