Media release

Driving offences – Katherine

Police

Police in Katherine are very disappointed to have apprehended four people for drug and drink driving offences in the past three days.

On Tuesday 25 May Police arrested a 24-year-old man after he returned a positive roadside drug test. His vehicle was subjected to a search where police located a quantity of methamphetamine, cannabis and an ice pipe. The driver later refused to complete a drug analysis.

He was charged with:

  • Fail to supply saliva sample
  • Possess schedule 1 dangerous drug – public place
  • Possess schedule 2 dangerous drug – public place
  • Possess thing – administer dangerous drug
  • Fail to produce licence on request

He has been remanded to appear in Katherine Local Court on 22 June 2021

On Wednesday 26 May Police apprehended a 32-year-old female driver on the Stuart Highway, Katherine. She returned a positive roadside drug test and was arrested.  A search of her vehicle revealed numerous used syringes. The driver later completed a drug analysis returning a positive result for cannabis, methamphetamine and amphetamine.

She was charged with:

  • Drive whilst disqualified
  • Drive with prohibited drug in body
  • Drive unregistered motor vehicle
  • Drive uninsured motor vehicle
  • Fail to dispose of syringe

She was bailed to appear in Katherine Local Court on 7 July 2021.

Also on Wednesday, Police apprehended a 46-year-old male on Acacia Drive, Katherine. He returned a positive roadside drug test and was arrested. Whilst being searched Police located a quantity of cannabis in the man’s shorts.  The driver later completed a drug analysis returning a positive result for cannabis and opiates.

He was charged with:

  • Drive with prohibited drug in body
  • Possess schedule 2 dangerous drug – public place
  • Fail to drive in lane

He was bailed to appear in Katherine Local Court on 7 July 2021.

Around 8:00am on Thursday 27 May, Police apprehended a vehicle on the Stuart Highway, Katherine.  The 55-year-old male driver returned a positive roadside breath test and was arrested. He later completed a breath analysis returning a result of 0.143 grams of alcohol per 210 litres of breath.

He will be charged with:

  • Drive Medium Range Blood Alcohol Content

At the time of writing he is yet to receive bail.

Detective Sergeant Ian Kennon said, “Police will continue to conduct random drug and breath tests on drivers as we are committed to ensuring the safety of road users in the NT.

“If you are someone who chooses to drink or consume illegal drugs then you best rethink the need to drive a motor vehicle. Your bad decisions can cost others their lives.”