Media release – Crime Stoppers Tasmania, 31 May 2021
Disrupting Tasmania’s drugs trade: Cut the Supply, Stop the hurt
Tasmanian Crime Stoppers Week launches today, with a strong focus on illicit drugs, their entry points into our community, and the role Tasmanians can play in fighting this serious crime.
The Covid pandemic significantly disrupted the importation of drugs into Tasmania last year.
Tasmania Police noted that while more drugs have been taken off our streets in the past year due to police operations, border closures meant less drugs coming into the state.
While some drugs are manufactured in Tasmania in crude – often domestic – settings, most are imported via sea, air, and mail, according to Tasmania Police.
Crime Stoppers Week is designed to raise awareness about what everyone in this state can do to combat criminal activity. Crime Stoppers Tasmania is central to this effort because intelligence provided by the community through Crime Stoppers is a powerful weapon for our Police.
Crime Stoppers Tasmania Chair, Mr David Daniels OAM says, “No-one wants to see drugs in our communities”.
“Being an island state has made it easier for Tasmania to keep Covid at bay. Let’s do the same to keep drugs out of Tasmania and catch those who engage in this ugly trade”.
“Tasmania Police regularly conduct operations targeting airports, seaports and the mail system, and last year a number of investigations resulted in the seizing of significant amounts of methamphetamine (or ICE), with a street value of several million dollars – removing over 15,000 street deals from vulnerable Tasmanians”, said Mr. Daniels.
“Our Police do a wonderful job in crime fighting. But in solving crime, Police face hurdles that Crime Stoppers is designed to counter. We are a conduit between Tasmania Police and the community, while maintaining the anonymity of those who provide information.”
While supply chains have been disrupted, drug trafficking within Tasmania remains of concern. Supply and gateways of illicit drugs are key targets of this year’s community-led Crime Stoppers campaign which is focussed on gathering local intelligence and engaging with Tasmanians for a safer Tasmania.
Mr Daniels said, “Everyday Tasmanians can assist in combatting drug-related and other crimes by telling us what they know anonymously. Drug dealers are often hiding in plain sight in our communities and can be masters of blending in. People often feel powerless to act, or think someone else will do something. In the meantime, drugs are harming our loved ones and cause other crimes.
“Thanks to Tasmanians who have used Crime Stoppers to support our Police in deterring and solving crime, we have seen a marked increase in anonymous reports from the wider community. In the past 3 years, there has been a 27% increase in reports, with an 18% increase in reports specifically about drug-related activity.
“If Tasmanians see or hear something that doesn’t seem right, we encourage them to speak up, but stay secret by anonymously reporting what they know through our website or by phoning the Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000”.
Know of someone trafficking drugs? Cut the supply and stop the hurt.
Speak up – but stay secret: Crime Stoppers on crimestopperstas.com.au or 1800 333 000
Background – Crime Stoppers Tasmania
Crime Stoppers Tasmania operates as an independent non-profit, community organisation that supports crime solving through providing anonymous mechanisms for reporting crime. It is part of an international program that has been in existence for over forty years.
By offering anonymity and rewards (for information leading to charges being laid) Crime Stoppers combats the three major problems faced by the police in generating crime-solving information:
- Fear of reprisal
- Apathy
- Reluctance to get involved.
For over 25 years, Crime Stoppers Tasmania has been the trusted voice for the community, providing an independent link between the public and Tasmania Police.
Crime Stoppers Tasmania offers people a safe and discreet option to report information under the assurance of being completely anonymous, no identifying information is recorded or required.
References:
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission’s 12th report on its National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program, involving wastewater analysis. Conducted in August 2020 (capital city and regional sites) and October 2020 (capital city sites only) including five sites in Tasmania, it found that:
- Tasmania had the highest estimated average MDA excretion in capital city sites.
- Tasmania had the highest estimated average capital city consumption of cannabis in August 2020.
- Tasmania had the highest estimated average capital city consumption of oxycodone in August 2020.
(Link: National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program Report 12.PDF (acic.gov.au)
Significant seizure of methylamphetamine and cash in Northern Tasmania – Tasmania Police
Amy Peacock – NHMRC Early Career Research Fellow – UNSW Australia | LinkedIn
Media release – Jacquie Petrusma, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, 31 May 2021
Crime Stoppers Week 2021
Tasmanians are encouraged to anonymously report information about illegal drugs entering Tasmania through air and sea gateways as part of this year’s Crime Stoppers Week.
The focus for this year’s Crime Stoppers Week, which runs from 31 May to 6 June, is to reduce the opportunity for drugs to cause harm in our community by reporting those who import and deal drugs.
Most drugs in Tasmania are imported, and identifying those who are responsible for bringing drugs into the State through our air and sea gateways can help police tackle the supply of drugs.
For more than 25 years Crime Stoppers has operated in Tasmania, providing an important anonymous avenue that people can use to help solve crime and identify offenders.
Crime Stoppers is particularly targeted for people who might not feel comfortable giving their name or going directly to police to report illegal activity.
The Tasmanian Government is committed to keeping Tasmanians safe and is encouraging anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at crimestopperstas.com.au.
