Arabic version: رجل من نيو ساوث ويلز يواجه اتهامات بالاتجار بالمخدرات في تسمانيا

According to ABC News, New South Wales man Matthew Michael McSweeney has appeared in the Burnie Magistrates Court over allegations linked to a major ice seizure in Tasmania’s north-west.

Mr McSweeney, 41, appeared by video link from custody before Magistrate Katie Edwards. He is charged with 14 separate drug-trafficking counts involving primarily methamphetamine, commonly known as ice, and cocaine. The alleged offending spans nine months, from December 2025 to September 2026.

He also faces more than a dozen charges of dealing with the proceeds of crime. Complaint documents seen by ABC News allege he knowingly dealt with criminal proceeds in Burnie on 14 occasions, with amounts including at least $70,000 on each charge, four $400,000 figures, $600,000 and $970,000. The total alleged proceeds were $4,509,950.

The allegations follow a Tasmania Police operation in September in which officers seized 17 kilograms of methamphetamine at a beachside car park in Burnie. Police said at the time that the drugs had a street value of $8.5 million and that the seizure was believed to be Tasmania’s largest methamphetamine bust.

Mr McSweeney’s lawyer told the court that new charges had been filed and that there had not yet been an opportunity to discuss the allegations with his client. Mr McSweeney spoke only to identify himself. The matter was adjourned without plea until December 16.