Joint federal and local taskforce seizes cash, gun and drugs in Tasmania
New figures to be released today show NAGS — a joint initiative between the Australian Federal Police and local law enforcement — has also laid 194 charges in Tasmania since 2014.
The most high-profile NAGS operation in Tasmania occurred in 2015 when authorities swooped on local outlaw motorcycle gangs.
A series of raids across the state resulted in 14 arrests, 100 charges and netted more than $200,000 cash.
Police also confiscated 120g of ice worth $200,000, 1.7kg of cannabis worth $18,000 and 133 ecstasy tablets worth $6500.
The operation is also well known for the bailing up of bikie AJ Graham, who was arrested by immigration officials and has been held in detention ever since.
Graham, a New Zealand citizen, recently had his visa cancellation overturned by the High Court but within hours Immigration Minister Peter Dutton cancelled it a third time.
Federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan said NAGS made life difficult for criminals.
“These gangs are violent criminals who strike fear in the community, both with their presence and with the flow-on effects of the illicit drug trade they oversee,” he said.
“Outlaw motorcycle gang leaders are being driven from Australian streets as they feel the pressure exerted by law enforcement.
“We are not backing off, and our message to these criminals is clear: we will continue to go as hard as we can to shut down their evil trades.”
Since NAGS was introduced in 2013 it has seized more than $9.2 million in cash and 5700 illegal firearms. NAGS operations have resulted in the seizure of over 170kg of methamphetamine. Across Australia, 1068 people have faced 3365 charges.
Mr Keenan said the disruption to organised crime had led to senior Outlaw bikie gang members fleeing overseas where they attempt to pull the strings from a foreign jurisdiction.
“The AFP-led NAGS is addressing this overseas risk by sharing with foreign law enforcement agencies the successful disruption activities that have been used in Australia,” he said.