Two Risdon Vale women have been charged with drug trafficking after a police operation that began at the Spirit of Tasmania terminal in Devonport on Tuesday.
In a media release issued today, Tasmania Police said that members of the Western Drugs and Firearms Unit identified a vehicle of interest as it disembarked the ferry on the morning of Tuesday, 23 June. Police allege the vehicle evaded them.
The vehicle was located a short time later in the nearby town of Moriarty, where two women, aged 22 and 28, were taken into custody without incident, according to the police statement.
Tasmania Police allege that a subsequent search of the vehicle located approximately 976 grams of crystal methylamphetamine, also known as ice, and 53 grams of cocaine.
Detective Inspector Michelle Elmer said the seizure prevented about 9,800 individual street deals from reaching the community. “These are not only illegal substances, they are also dangerous and have the potential to bring significant harm to the Tasmanian community,” Detective Inspector Elmer said in the statement.
The two women, both from the Hobart suburb of Risdon Vale, have been charged with trafficking and driving offences. They were detained to appear in the Devonport Magistrates Court later today, Wednesday, 24 June.
It is a requirement of the law that all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Tasmania Police reiterated their commitment to targeting offenders attempting to bring illicit substances into the state. “Tasmania Police will continue to target offenders who attempt to deal with illicit substances in Tasmania by conducting both targeted and random screening of persons transiting the state by sea and airports,” Detective Inspector Elmer said.
The original report from ABC News can be found at this link: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-24/two-women-charged-spirit-of-tasmania-drug-bust/106835198.