A 25-year-old male has been charged with a number of offences after off-duty police officers at Groote Eylandt located him at a golf club.
Alyangula police were alerted to potentially criminal activity last week when a suspect mail item was identified by a drug detector dog. The detection led to the execution of a search warrant at the man’s hotel room, which he’d discreetly vacated the previous night, revealing a $1600 unpaid bill and allegations of stealing, obtaining benefit by deception and supplying cannabis.
Yesterday morning the man in question was identified by off-duty officers who were about to tee off. A member on duty attended and a search of the man’s belongings uncovered 190grams of cannabis, $1150 in cash and other supply items including a large quantity of deal bags.
He was subsequently charged with:
- Supply dangerous drug Schedule 2 – trafficable quantity in an Indigenous community
- Possess trafficable quantity of cannabis
- Stealing
- Obtain benefit by deception
“Police take these offences very seriously and with the assistance of drug detection dogs that are based here full time, we are committed to stamping out the exploitation of Indigenous communities,” said Senior Sergeant Tanya Woodcock.
The fact that community sources had already identified this man to local police serves as a warning to others intending to do business here. You will not go unnoticed for long.”
The male was remanded in custody to appear in Darwin Local Court tomorrow.
