Detectives from the Drug and Organised Crime Division partnered with the Australian Federal Police’s National Anti-Gangs Squad (NAGS) to conduct a week long operation, targeting the importation of dangerous drugs into the Northern Territory.
Detective Superintendent Clint Sims said as part of the Operation AROMI, (which ran from 3 - 9 February 2016) detectives used the newly passed “Drug Declared Area” legislation to screen vehicles for dangerous drugs at every border, as well as passenger movements on commercial aircrafts.
“One of the more significant results saw 23.6kilograms of cannabis seized in Coolalinga. Two men aged 24 and 31-years-old were charged with supply of a commercial quantity of a schedule 2 drug. They have both been remanded in custody to appear in the Darwin Magistrates court on 30 March 2016.
In total Police made:
- Twelve arrests
- Six people issued notices to appear in court for drug related offences and;
- 23 people were issued Drug Infringement Notices
In total Police seized:
- 27.5kg of cannabis
- $70,480.00 in cash
- 315 grams of methamphetamine
- In excess of 320 MDMA pills
- Approximately 20 capsules suspected to contain MDMA
- Five firearms
- Various weapons including two TASER’s, a set of knuckle dusters and ammunition
- Other assorted prescription drugs
“The results speak for themselves. Each of the offenders identified clearly intended to profit from the sale of dangerous drugs in the Northern Territory and specifically into our remote communities,” said Detective Sims.
“Given the success of this operation regular screening activities for dangerous drugs will continue. Removing these drugs not only prevents harm in our community but it also causes a lot of disruption to the criminal syndicates that attempt to profit from them.”
If you have any information in relation to the importation, distribution or manufacture of drugs in the Territory, please contact Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Media Note: The Australian Federal Police (AFP)-led National Anti-Gangs Squad comprises members from the AFP and State and Territory Police forces as well as officers from the Australian Crime Commission, Australian Border Force, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, the Australian Taxation Office and Department of Human Services to target the threats posed by Outlaw Motor Cycle Gangs.
