As part of Operation Bitalli, Detectives from the Drug Enforcement Section (DES) have apprehended five people since Thursday.
At approximately 11:00 am on Thursday 9 July, Detectives observed a 55-year-old male selling 1.36 kilograms of cannabis to a 37-year-old man in an area of scrubland off the Cox Peninsular Road.
The 37 year-old man was apprehended by police a short time later and he was subsequently charged with;
Possessing cannabis in a commercial quantity
Supplying Cannabis in a Commercial quantity
Possessing cannabis in a public place
He was bailed to appear 4 August 2009.
The following day at about 2:30 pm Detectives again observed the 55-year-old attend the same area of scrubland. He was found to be in possession of a further 1.8 kilograms of cannabis and was arrested after a short foot pursuit.
He has been charged with;
Supplying a trafficable quantity of cannabis (x2)
Supplying a commercial quantity of cannabis (x2)
Possessing a commercial quantity of cannabis (x3)
Being an unlicensed shooter, failing to meet storage requirements and possessing ammunition whilst unlicensed.
He has been bailed to appear in Darwin magistrate's court on 30 July.
Police also seized the man's car and two other cars that attended the area of scrubland at the time of the man's arrest. These cars were searched by police and a total of $22 300 was seized from them. As a result of seizing these funds a 38-year-old male and a 38-year-old female will be summonsed to appear in court for supplying a commercial quantity of cannabis.
A search of this area of scrubland by detectives identified a further commercial quantity of cannabis, approximately 9 kilograms.
Yesterday at about 1.00 pm police arrested a 50-year-old man at the Darwin International Airport as he attempted to board a plane to Adelaide.
Police located $70 000 in his possession, which was seized as it was believed to have been obtained from the sale of cannabis.
The 50-year-old man was charged with possessing tainted property and is to appear in the Darwin Magistrate's Court today.
Acting Commander Peter Bravos of the Crime and Specialist Support Command said that this was a great result for police.
"Members of the Drug Enforcement Section and several other units have been working extremely hard over the past six weeks executing Operation Bitalli. The excellent results achieved highlight the professionalism and dedication of our members in investigating these serious drug offences."
"In total Police have executed seven search warrants and seized approximately 12 kilograms of cannabis, $92 300 worth of cash and three vehicles. The potential illicit value of the seized cannabis is over $250 000.
"Members of the Drug and Organised Crime Division will continue to target, disrupt and dismantle organised crime groups operating in the Northern Territory" he said.
Media contact:
Amy Sloan
8922 3365
