A 31-year-old man from Turners Beach has been charged with Trafficking in a Controlled Substance after being detected attempting to import 500 grams of methamphetamine (ICE) into Tasmania.

The man was detected as part of an ongoing investigation after disembarking a domestic flight arriving in Launceston at 3:25pm on Sunday, 9 January 2022.

Members of Western Drug Investigation Services with assistance of Northern Traffic Services searched the man and a female associate at the airport, at which time the methylamphetamine was located.

The seizure is part of an operation conducted by Western Drug Investigation Services targeting the importation and distribution of methylamphetamine with further arrests expected at a later date.

The female associate, a 43-year-old from Wesley Vale was charged with Trafficking in a Controlled Substance and bailed to appear at a later date.

The charged man was remanded in custody at an out of hours sitting of the Devonport Magistrates Court last night. He is to reappear via video link today at 2:15pm.

The methylamphetamine seized has an estimated street value of $750,000.

“Tasmania Police will continue to target offenders who attempt to import illicit substances into Tasmania by conducting both targeted and random screening of persons entering the state by sea and air ports”.