Stop the Trafficking. Stop the Harm.
Crime Stoppers Tasmania has officially launched Crime Stoppers Week 2025, urging the public to speak up and help stop the trafficking of illicit drugs and illegal firearms across the state.
This year’s theme “Stop the Trafficking. Stop the Harm.” highlights the devastating toll illicit drugs and illegal firearms have on Tasmanian families and communities.
Chair of Crime Stoppers Tasmania, David Daniels OAM, said the campaign was about empowering people to act.
“Too many lives are being lost. Too many families are being destroyed. And too many traffickers think it’s acceptable to deal and destroy. With community help, we can disrupt organised crime and reduce harm,” Mr Daniels said.
“The latest National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Report shows Tasmanian consumption of the four major illicit drugs – Ice, cocaine, ecstasy and heroin – has increased by 50% in the past year, far higher than the 34% national rise.”
Tasmania is not alone in dealing with drug threats. The world is seeing record levels of cultivation and manufacture of methylamphetamine (Ice) and cocaine.
Significant intelligence is provided to Tasmania Police from Crime Stoppers, with tips relating to illicit drugs and illegal firearms making up half of the community tips received.
“So far this year, Crime Stoppers tips have made up 35% of Tasmania Police intelligence, with the public showing they are empowered to speak up about harmful drugs and guns,” Mr Daniels said.
“On average, more than 30 people contact Crime Stoppers every day – which is a 27% increase on 2024.”
Significant quantities of drugs and firearms continue to be seized by police, and community information via Crime Stoppers has played an important part in supporting these investigations.
“Earlier this year in southern Tasmania, ten separate tips to Crime Stoppers about the same illegal activity helped police secure a search warrant. Officers seized a trafficable quantity of ice, ammunition and stolen items. Two tips provided high-value intelligence, while the others corroborated the evidence. This shows how every piece of information can add value to an investigation,” Mr Daniels said.
Supporting Crime Stoppers, Tasmania Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Damien George said a strong community partnership was critical to enhancing public safety and reducing crime.
“Tasmania Police and Crime Stoppers have formed a strong partnership since the organisation’s inception in this state 31 years ago, and it is a collaboration that continues to produce positive outcomes,” Acting Assistant Commissioner George said.
“Crime Stoppers is an essential link between the community and police. The smallest details can sometimes be the missing piece in preventing and solving serious crime.
“We remind people that they can remain anonymous when reporting through Crime Stoppers. And they can be assured that their reports into criminal activities and suspicious behaviour will be directed to police.
“When it comes to areas such as harmful, illicit drugs and in the illegal use of firearms, we have seen repeatedly that those tips about criminal activity do reap rewards.”
Mr Daniels added, “We ask the public to share what they know and make their tip count by giving as much detail as they can.
“Crime Stoppers is a safe, anonymous way to share information, and if a tip leads to arrests or charges, the tipster may be eligible for a reward.”
“Make your tip count. Report information anonymously at crimestopperstas.com.au or
1800 333 000. No detail is too small to make a difference.”
Crime Stoppers Tasmania ensures that all tips remain private and anonymous, protecting the identity of those who report suspicious activities.
For police assistance: call 131 444
In an emergency: call 000