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Guns, drugs and $143,000 in cash are seized and 20 arrested in massive crackdown on organised crime in Tasmania

Twenty people are facing criminal charges after illegal guns, drugs and $143,000 in cash were seized in a state and federal police operation in northern Tasmania.

Fifteen raids were conducted across the five-week operation which netted 40 grams of the drug ice, 91 ecstasy tablets and four firearms.

The Tasmania Police and Australian Federal Police operation was set up in late August to investigate organised criminal networks in the Launceston area.

'The community needs to be aware that criminal gangs are not harmless clubs,' Tasmania Police acting deputy commissioner Jonathan Higgins said on Wednesday.

Fifteen raids were conducted across the five-week operation which netted 40 grams of the drug ice, 91 ecstasy tablets and four firearms

Fifteen raids were conducted across the five-week operation which netted 40 grams of the drug ice, 91 ecstasy tablets and four firearms

'They are well organised criminals who readily resort to violence and intimidation to protect their way of life.'

Charges include trafficking in a controlled substance, dealing in proceeds of crime, aggravated armed robbery and aggravated burglary.

People are also accused of defrauding the Commonwealth of $170,000, breaching a consorting notice, home detention order and bail, plus firearm offences.

'Despite our ongoing commitment to tackling COVID in our community, police and law enforcement agencies remain equally committed to targeting and holding criminals to account,' Mr Higgins said.

AFP Tasmania sergeant Nick Gibson said criminal gangs are highly involved in the importation of illicit drugs and the sale of illegal weapons.

The charges come after two men were caught in late September trying to smuggle more than $4 million worth of the drug ice into Tasmania inside camping gear.

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