A major police operation targeting firearm crime in southern Tasmania has netted 45 illegal firearms in just four weeks, authorities have revealed.
The weapons haul is the result of Operation GAT, an intensive collaborative effort that has led to a dozen people facing charges.
Detective Inspector Richard Penney said the operation involved coordinated work between the Southern Drugs and Firearms division, State Intelligence Services, Southeast Criminal Investigation Branch, Glenorchy Criminal Investigation Branch, and specialist areas.
“Over the past four weeks, officers have been targeting firearm crime and have executed 16 search warrants,” he said.
“That has resulted in the seizure of 45 firearms, eight silencers, and illicit drugs and 12 people are being proceeded against for firearm offences.”
He says police will continue to focus on removing illegal firearms from the community, urging community members to report suspicious activity.
“We ask anyone with information about these illicit activities to contact police”.
