A joint operation involving police from Peppimenarti, Wadeye, Daly River and members of the Katherine Substance Abuse Intelligence Unit and Drug Dog Operations Unit, commenced on 10 September and concluded this morning on the Port Keats Road.

Twenty-nine vehicles were stopped at road blocks resulting in:

Five arrests
Two summons
Two Summary Infringement Notices
Two Traffic Infringement Notices
Five people taken into Protective Custody
One vehicle seized (green Holden Vectra sedan)

A total of 159 grams of cannabis and a quantity of alcohol (22.3 litres) was located in the Holden Vectra and seized along with the vehicle.

A 25-year-old man has been charged with supply trafficable quantity of cannabis and liquor and remanded in custody to appear in the Darwin Magistrate's
Court at a later date.

A 43-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man will be summonsed to appear in court for bring/possess/control liquor in a prescribed area.

Four males were arrested in relation to drink driving offences with blood alcohol readings ranging from 0.98 percent to 0.169 percent. Charges include drive high range and medium range BAC, drive whilst unlicensed, fail to supply sufficient sample and drive unregistered and uninsured.

Summary Infringement Notices were issued for bring liquor into a prescribed area and Traffic Infringement Notices for adult passenger fails to wear seatbelt.

"This operation is part of an on-going strategy using a variety of resources including the Drug Dog Operations Unit and the Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk to target grog runners who are intent on bringing alcohol and drugs into remote communities, "said A/Superintendent Steve Heyworth.

"We are committed to continue our tough stance on drug and grog runners and ensure communities are aware of the effect that these substances can have on their families and their quality of life."


Media contact:
Sue Bradley
0417770686