Police have called for more community responsibility to help keep grog and drugs out of remote Aboriginal communities.
Police mounted a major operation last week - Operation Haricot - after receiving information about a large funeral to be held at Ramingining. The Operation involved Police from the Katherine and Northern Regional Command, the Remote Community Drug Desk and the Dog Operations Unit.
Katherine Police Commander Jeanette Kerr said the Operation was designed to disrupt the trafficking of alcohol and illicit drugs into the community.
"The people who organise the mass purchase and distribution of alcohol and cannabis to take advantage of people coming together for ceremony and to express grief are social parasites, " Commander Kerr said.
"Even more offensive is the drunken behaviour and violence that results from the trafficking of alcohol, effectively diminishing the significance of funeral ceremonies".
Five bottles of Jim Beam Bourbon were located in luggage on the plane that transported the deceased back to the community for burial.
Following debriefs with people found in possession of alcohol, it was discovered that third parties were purchasing alcohol, then on-selling to other community members for upwards of $400 per 1125ml bottle of spirits.
"There is often a problem with grog-running into these dry communities, but when we are told that people are paying as much as $400 for a 1125ml bottle of Jim Beam you can see just how big a problem it is," Cmdr Kerr said.
"People will try almost anything to bring it in and others will pay almost any price to drink it."
Roadblocks were conducted on the Oenpelli side of Cahill Crossing, on the Central Arnhem Highway near Maranboy, the Ramingining turnoff on the Oenpelli Road, and at the Blythe River near Ramingining.
As a result of the operation:
in excess of 100 vehicles were searched
2 arrests
11 summons
approx 84 grams of cannabis being seized
2 vehicle seizures
1 Drug infringement notice issued
seizure of:
40 cans of VB
50 litres of spirits
22 litres of port
20 litres of cask wine
"We will continue to target grog-runners coming into communities. This will mean an increase in road blocks, and significant disruption to many law-abiding citizens".
"Community members also need to take some responsibility. It must be obvious to everyone when an increased amount of grog is coming into the communities. In the case of Ramingining it's clear that everyone knew that large amounts of grog were expected.
"People in the community can talk to their local police. If they are worried about being seen talking to police then they can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Community and police need to work together to make the Territory a safer place for us all."
Media contact:
Theresa kuilboer
(08)89 223531
