Couple accused of importing $700,000 worth of drugs to face Tasmanian court five years after arrest

Two men accused of importing nearly $700,000 worth of illegal drugs into Tasmania five years ago have been extradited back to the state.

The pair were arrested in New South Wales on Sunday and brought back to Hobart on Monday after failing to appear in the Supreme Court last week.

A 48-year-old woman and a 49-year-old man are on trial for trafficking in controlled substances in 2019.

Police say the man was the national vice president of the Bandidos Outlaw motorcycle gang at the time of the alleged offense.

The investigation into the operation was part of Operation Advance, a joint operation between Tasmania Police and the Australian Federal Police.

A spokesman said the force “would like to acknowledge the assistance provided by NSW Police in the extradition”.