Media release

Drug driving – Katherine

Police

Northern Territory Police are disappointed after apprehending nine drug drivers in Katherine since Friday 21 February.

At 5:45am on Friday 21 February, a 23-year-old man was stopped at a roadside breath testing (RBT) station and taken to Katherine Watch House where he tested positive for opiates, cannabis, amphetamine and methamphetamine. He was charged with:

  • drive with prohibited drug in body
  • drive unregistered motor vehicle
  • drive uninsured motor vehicle.

He was bailed to appear in Katherine Local Court at a later date.

The 33-year-old male passenger, and owner of the vehicle, who was on bail for numerous driving related offences was also arrested. He was charged with:

  • breach of bail
  • permit person to drive unregistered motor vehicle
  • permit person to drive uninsured motor vehicle.

He was remanded in custody to appear in Katherine Local Court on 27 February 2020.

At 5:50am on Monday 24 February, two unmarked police vehicles approached the traffic lights at the intersection of Stuart Highway and Bicentennial Drive. They witnessed a vehicle drive through a red light. 

The 24-year-old male driver was apprehended and conveyed to the Katherine Watch House where he tested positive for cannabis. 

He was issued a notice to appear in Katherine Local Court for:

  • drive with prohibited drug in body
  • proceed beyond red light
  • fail to produce licence on request.

At 9:30am yesterday, police apprehended a 29-year-old woman on Stuart Highway near Emungalan Road. She was conveyed to Katherine Watch House where she returned a positive result for methamphetamine. She issued an infringement for drive with prohibited drug in body.

The 38-year-old male passenger, who was on bail conditions for drug driving offences, was located with 56 grams of cannabis hidden in his underwear. He was also conveyed to the Katherine Watch House where he was charged with:

  • breach of bail
  • possess schedule 2 dangerous drug – traffickable quantity – public place
  • attempt to escape lawful custody.

He was remanded in custody to appear in Katherine Local Court today.

Detective Sergeant Ian Kennon said, “These incidents display the carelessness of some drivers. It is disappointing to see these people not only using drugs but then also getting behind the wheel of car. It is completely reckless behaviour and we will not tolerate it.”