The Cross Border Team have concluded a 14 month operation preventing cannabis from entering remote communities.

Detective Superintendent Michael White said the operation was initiated in November 2015, targeting the sale and supply of cannabis in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and surrounding communities.

“Police executed 15 search warrants on residences in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek and located more than 62 kilograms of cannabis over the course of the operation,” he said.

“An elaborate drug syndicate was dismantled, resulting in 10 arrests.”

The offenders were charged with:

• Supply commercial quantity cannabis (x5)
• Possess property proceeds crime (x4)
• Supply cannabis (x5)
• Supply methamphetamines
• Money laundering
• Dealing with property used in connection with offences

All of the offenders are currently before court.

“The estimated street value of the seized cannabis, if sold in Indigenous communities, is more than $900,000,” said Detective Superintendent White.

“The Cross Border Team will continue to reduce violent crime in remote Indigenous communities by targeting criminal networks who seek to exploit vulnerable people in the cross border regions.”