Three people from Maningrida have been charged in relation to drug trafficking.

At about 5:45pm yesterday Maningrida members were conducting marine patrols of the area when they located a suspicious helicopter and vehicle at one of the landing barges. Information received from the public suggested these persons may have been involved in trafficking cannabis into the community.

Upon further inspection of the vehicle, police located a total of 58.1 grams of cannabis divided into 89 individual packaged, concealed in a leg of meat.

Three males aged 26, 34 and 35 were arrested and conveyed to Maningrida police station, where they have since been charged with possessing a trafficable quantity of Cannabis in a restricted area.

All offenders were bailed to appear in Maningrida Court on 2 March 2011.

The vehicle was also seized as it was used in the commission of the offence.

Superintendent Helen Braam said these drug dealers needed to realise NT Police will catch them.

"These drug peddlers and their associates need to realise is how much they stand to lose financially when the police catch up with them - and eventually we will".

"This time we seized a car; next time it may be the helicopter and frankly I'd be delighted if that happens".

"We'll continue to target these people until they no longer pose a threat to the safety and well being of our remote communities" she said.



Rickie Scoot

8985 8837

0458 307 870