Police conducted road blocks at strategic locations between 12 noon Thursday 12 November and 12 noon Saturday 14 November in order to effect a "lockdown" of all land routes into Arnhem Land.
Approximately 60 police and six Australian Customs Service members were used to maintain a presence along Cahill's Crossing, the Roper Highway and the Central Arnhem Highway.
"The focus of the operation was two-fold, with members targeting the trafficking of illicit substances including alcohol and drugs as well as general traffic enforcement, "said Superintendent Brent Warren.
"By bringing together members from various bush stations, the Remote Community Drug Desk, the Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk and Dog Operations Unit, we were able to deal with a range of difference types of offences and our capabilities were greatly assisted with valuable support from the Australian Customs Service."
Over the 48-hour period members stopped and processed 681 vehicles:
Oenpelli - 176
Mataranka - 245
Maranboy - 201
Ngukurr - 59
As a result of these apprehensions the following results were achieved:
Arrests - 14
Summons - 15
Protective Custody - 3
Traffic Infringement Notice - 10
Liquor Infringement Notice - 15
Drug Infringement Notice - 7
Defects - 10
Cannabis seized - 48.2 grams
Litres tipped out - 80
A major result occurred during the first day of operations when Jabiru members engaged in a pursuit with a vehicle that attempted to evade a road block. After a lengthy chase members apprehended a white Holden Commodore sedan with six occupants.
A search of the vehicle located a quantity of alcohol - two bottles of spirits, 49 cans and 42 bottles of beer and a cask of wine. The alcohol was seized and six Liquor Infringement notices were issued.
A short time later another vehicle approached members and was apprehended for a random breath test. The 37-year-old male driver indicated a positive reading and later returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.171 percent. He was charged with medium range drink driving and bailed to appear in the Jabiru Court on 24 November.
This driver was allegedly apprehended hours later at the same road block and for the second time returned a positive reading of 0.73 percent. He was again charged and had his licence disqualified.
"Police remain focussed on stopping the trafficking of alcohol and drugs into remote communities where the harm associated with their consumption can be extensive, " said Superintendent Warren.
"It was disappointing to see a number of apprehensions for medium to high range drink driving offences - the message is still not getting through to some members of the community that there are real dangers associated with impaired driving.
"With the Christmas holiday period approached we will continue to closely target impaired drivers throughout the Territory."
Media contact:
Sue Bradley
8922 3185
