Members from the Dog Operations Unit, Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk and Remote Community Drug Desk have seized drugs worth a combined total of $54,000 that was bound for remote communities yesterday.

Detective Senior Sergeant Clint Sims said Police are well aware of the different methods of drug transportation used in the wet season and conduct regular screenings of flights, barges and freight companies with the assistance of Drug Detector Dogs.

“During a screening of a flight to Milikapti yesterday, Drug Detector Dog (DDD) Otto sniffed out 260 grams of cannabis that was concealed inside some groceries.

“A search of the groceries uncovered two packages secreted inside a large chip bag and inside a can amongst a carton of soft drink. This was high quality concealment method and investigations are continuing.

“In a separate incident, a barge headed for Groote Eylandt was screened by DDD Yona resulting in the search of a Toyota Troop Carrier. Members located a large cryovaced bag containing 187 individual clip seal bags of cannabis, a total of 200 grams.

“These drugs were ready for sale with an estimated worth of $18,000, if sold in remote communities. A 25-year-old female has since been summonsed for possessing a trafficable quantity of cannabis and supplying cannabis to an indigenous community.

“DDD Yona also located a further 100 grams of cannabis on a 23-year-old man who was about to board a flight to Groote Eylandt.

“A search of the man was conducted with members locating two socks stuffed inside his underwear. The two packages inside the socks had been double cryovaced, but DDD Yona had no problem in locating it.

“The man will appear in the Darwin Magistrates Court in relation the possession of a trafficable quantity of cannabis and unlawfully supplying cannabis,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Sims.

NT Police will continue to screen passengers and cargo travelling to remote communities in an effort to reduce the amount of drugs available.

Media Contact
Sarah Trinne
8985 8835