Northern Territory Police have arrested eight men and one youth for breaches against section 497 of the Biosecurity Act 2015.
On 15 April 2020, a group of five males’ travelled by boat from their remote community to Darwin. Four additional passengers boarded the vessel and the extended group began the return journey home to their community.
Shortly before arriving, the vessel broke down leaving the group stranded on the water overnight. Assistance was provided by a family member shortly before noon the following day.
Acting on information received that the boat may be transporting alcohol and drugs, police met the boat where it landed.
A 37-year old man was found with 27 grams of cannabis. He was arrested for this and for breaching bail conditions.
Police investigations identified several breaches of the Biosecurity Act by those on board the dinghy who entered a designated area from an excluded area without appropriate authorisation or quarantining periods.
The nine males were located, arrested and charged for failing to comply with emergency requirements.
Contact tracing has begun within the community with the assistance of the Health Clinic.
