Media release

Drug seizure – Winnellie

Police

On Wednesday 23 September 2020, Northern Territory Joint Organised Crime Task Force officers apprehended a 31-year-old male in possession of three boxes that had been sent through the post and collected at the Winnellie Post office.

Each box was found to contain 30 pounds (13.6 kilograms) of cannabis.

Officers searched his vehicle and seized:

  • the three boxes
  • a traffickable quantity of methamphetamine
  • $3,720 cash
  • three plastic bottles containing an unidentified liquid
  • other suspicious items
  • the vehicle.

A further search executed at a residence in Bakewell resulted in the seizure of:

  • $13,200 cash
  • loose cannabis
  • four vials of steroids
  • drug paraphernalia
  • other suspicious items.

The man was charged with possession and supply of 150 pounds (68 kilograms) of cannabis, and:

  • supply schedule 2 dangerous drug - commercial quantity
  • possess schedule 2 dangerous drug - commercial quantity
  • possess schedule 1 dangerous drug in public place
  • possess schedule 1 dangerous drug
  • possess schedule 2 dangerous drug - traffickable quantity
  • possess tainted property
  • possess drug administration implement.

He has been remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court on Friday 25 September 2020.

Detective Superintendent Kerry Hoskins said, “This is a significant seizure and NT Police will continue working together as part of the task force to target the supply of illegal drugs into the community”.

Australian Federal Police Detective Acting Superintendent Stephen Jay said the outcome shows that authorities are continuing to pursue those engaged in the illegal drug trade, despite border restrictions.

The NT Joint Organised Crime Task Force is comprised of the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, Northern Territory Police, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and Department of Home Affairs.