Media release

Drug seizure – Darwin

Police

Detectives from the Drug and Organised Crime Division have charged three men following the seizure of a large quantity of cannabis.

On Tuesday 15 September 2020, police identified a number of suspicious consignments at a Darwin freight company.

Investigations led police to conduct search warrants at two properties in Humpty Doo and Berry Springs on Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 September. The searches resulted in the seizure of commercial quantities of cannabis.

As a result of the searches, 290 packages containing almost 132kg of cannabis and $47,000 cash was seized.

Three men were arrested and detained as a result of the search warrants.

A 29-year-old man was charged with:

  • possess schedule 2 dangerous drug – commercial quantity
  • supply schedule 2 dangerous drug – commercial quantity
  • possess tainted property
  • cultivate prohibited plant – traffickable quantity

A 58-year-old man was charged with:

  • possess schedule 2 dangerous drug – commercial quantity
  • supply schedule 2 dangerous drug – commercial quantity

A 54-year-old man was charged with:

  • possess schedule 2 dangerous drug – commercial quantity
  • supply schedule 2 dangerous drug – commercial quantity
  • possess tainted property.

They were remanded in custody to appear in Darwin Local Court on Wednesday 4 November 2020.

Detective Superintendent Kerry Hoskins of the Drug and Organised Crime Division said, “Drug syndicates continue to look for ways to circumvent COVID-19 border restrictions. This significant seizure shows that NT Police have readily adapted their intelligence gathering and investigative practices to respond to the ever changing drug trafficking landscape”.

Police urge anyone with information to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Please quote reference number 9423358.