Three men have been charged and are appearing in court today following an aggravated assault in Howard Springs and drug seizure in Katherine.

Senior Constable First Class Robert Griffiths said it is alleged two men aged 27 and a 49-year-old, were involved in an aggravated assault at a residence in Howard Springs on 6 August.

“It is alleged that during the altercation a 29-year-old man was assaulted with baseball bats, threatened with a firearm and attacked by a dog. A 32-year-old man was threatened with a firearm.

“The 29-year-old victim was conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital to receive treatment for his injuries.

“The assault committed upon these men was so severe the matter was declared a major crime and a dedicated operation was commenced, comprising a number of specialised Police units, including Detectives from Serious Crime, Major Crime, Drug and Organised Crime, Operational Intelligence Section, Task Force Trident and the Territory Response Group. 

“On Wednesday 20 August Officers conducted a targeted traffic apprehension in Katherine which resulted in the arrest of the 27-year-old driver and a 27-year-old male passenger travelling in a sedan. The passenger ran from the vehicle and was located a short time later by General Purpose Dog ‘Bomber’.

“Drug Detector Dog ‘Archie’ located 12grams of methamphetamine and 40grams of cannabis in the vehicle.

“Both men were arrested and conveyed to Katherine Police Station, where charges were laid.”

Continuing on with investigations, Police conducted a search warrant on a residence in Howard Springs yesterday, and located and seized seven firearms, a vehicle, 4.2kg of cannabis, a less than trafficable quantity of methamphetamine, approximately $55,000 in cash and other weapons.

The 49-year-old man was arrested at the location. Both he and the 27-year-old male driver have been charged with:

Aggravated robbery
Threats to kill (x2)
Aggravated assault (x2)
Damage to property
Dangerous dog – attack a person
Supply cannabis
Possess cannabis – commercial quantity
Possess methamphetamine – less than trafficable quantity

Both are to appear in the Darwin Magistrates Court today.

The 27-year-old male passenger was charged with:

Possess trafficable quantity of schedule 1 drug
Supply methamphetamine
Possess cannabis public place
Supply cannabis
Possess implement

He is to appear in the Katherine Court today.

Police urge anyone who may have any information relating to this incident, to contact Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.