Northern Territory Police have charged a 31-year-old man with drug offences following a warrant execution at a Katherine residence around 8:35am on Monday.
While police were searching the residence, a 29-year-old woman drove to the location. She was subjected to a drug saliva test and returned a positive indication for methamphetamine. She was conveyed to the Katherine Watch House and issued with a traffic infringement notice for drive with prohibited drug in body.
During the search, police located 56 grams of cannabis in deal bags, glass ice pipes and other indicia of drug supply. An AK-47 gel blaster rifle, extendable baton, push knife, fireworks and $1960 was also located.
Detective Senior Sergeant Lee Morgan said while all the offending is serious, police have particular concern about the gel blaster rifle.
“Gel blasters are often designed to have the appearance of a real firearm. They have real potential to cause alarm, particularly when people possess them in a public place. If police were confronted with an uncooperative person in possession of a gel blaster in a hostile situation, the consequences could be catastrophic. Possession of gel blasters that resemble a real firearm in appearance constitutes an offence. The importation and possession of gel blasters in the NT remains an offence.”
The 31-year-old man was arrested and conveyed to the Katherine Watch House. Police also located a clip seal bag containing 0.5 grams of methamphetamine on the man.
He was charged with:
- Supply Schedule 2 Dangerous Drug – Less Than Commercial Quantity
- Possess Schedule 2 Dangerous Drug – Traffickable Quantity
- Possess Schedule 1 Dangerous Drug
- Possess Tainted Property
- 2x Possess Thing – Administer Dangerous Drug
- 3x Possess Prohibited Weapon
- Possess Fireworks Outside Approved Period
He will appear in Katherine Local Court at a later date.
