75 members of the Northern Territory Police Force along with members of Australian Customs Services and the Northern Territory Liquor participated in roadblocks across the central region of the Territory late last week.



Operation Tower ran for a continuous 48 hour period from 12.00 pm on Thursday until 12.00 pm Saturday and effectively locked down the entire Arnhem area.



Members from the Katherine Command, Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk assisted by the Drug Enforcement Section and Dog Operation Units from Katherine, Darwin and Alice Springs blocked all major roads around the Katherine region leading into Territory Indigenous communities. Operations were also conducted throughout the light aircraft facilities at Darwin airport with assistance from the Australian Customs Service and their drug detection dogs.



The operation was the latest in a serious of NT Police operations targeting road safety and the supply of drugs and alcohol into our communities and produced the following results:



Traffic Results:

Police breath tested almost 2,500 people over the period
17 were arrested for drink driving offences
7 people are to be summonsed
19 infringement notices were issued for other traffic offences


Drug and Alcohol Detection Results:

56 litres of alcohol and this included 7 x 700 ml bottles of spirits seized
110 grams of cannabis seized
3 people to be summonsed
19 infringement notices were issued for alcohol and drug related offences


Detective Sergeant Tony Henrys said that the Northern Territory Police are committed to education and enforcement in regard to road safety issues in an effort to keep people safe and actively reduce the road toll.



"Targeting drugs and alcohol particularly into our communities can and does have a pronounced effect on peoples' behaviour," he said.



The cannabis seized would likely fetch $11,000 in the communities, while 700 ml bottles of spirits can go for as much as $400.00 per bottle.





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