Members of the Remote Community Drug Desk (RCDD), a section of the Drug Squad, have arrested three males as part of Operation Elva.

Targeting the supply of cannabis to remote communities, Operation Elva Officers arrested two males, aged 31 and 19, in a Palmerston carpark yesterday.

Police will allege 224 grams of cannabis and $1,300 cash was seized.

Following the arrests Police executed a search warrant at a Palmerston address where a further 80 grams of cannabis and $1,100 cash was seized.  An 18-year-old male was arrested at the residence.

Detective Acting Superintendent Peter Schiller of the Drug Squad praised the results of the operation.

“The 31-year-old was the principle target of Operation Elva and has been charged in relation to an extended series of drug supplies to remote communities since November 2013.

“The man appeared to have contacts in all remote areas of the Top End and Police will allege he was actively marketing his product in these communities.

“The supply of cannabis to remote communities causes significant suffering and degradation of the quality of life for residents.

“The Remote Community Drug Desk was established to identify those people making profits from this trade and to bring them before the courts.

“In 2013 alone they were responsible for 188 prosecutions relating to drug supply to remote areas and the seizure of over nine kilograms of cannabis and almost a tonne of kava.

“The members of the RCDD are a dedicated and invaluable part of the war on drugs in the NT.”

The 19-year-old was granted bail while the other two males were remanded in custody to appear in the Darwin Magistrates Court today.