Detectives from the Northern Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk concluded an operation at the weekend disbanding a drug syndicate responsible for sending drugs into Arnhem Land.
Four men aged 25, 29, 34 and 56 and a 25-year-old woman were all arrested in Katherine when they were detected preparing to package and send cannabis to Milingimbi Community via a private air charter.
Police swooped on the group and seized $29,000.00 in cash and 1.5 kilograms of cannabis.
Detective Senior Sergeant Clint Sims said some of the cannabis had already been packaged into 240 individual clip seal bags ready for sale.
“It is alleged that the group intended to sell the drugs within an indigenous community, where they were expecting to net in excess of $150,000.00 from the sale of the drugs.
“Police will continue to target groups such as this that profit from the harm that they cause in our remote communities.
“This network had made considerable efforts to try and avoid detection by Police. We will continue to monitor all traffic heading into and out of our communities in our efforts to keep people safe,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Sims.
Three men have been refused bail by Police and will appear in Katherine Magistrate's Court today after being charged with:
- Unlawfully supplying a commercial quantity of cannabis; and
- Receiving tainted property.
The other man and woman will be summonsed to appear in court at a later date.
**Media Note – If using attached photos please credit NT Police.
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