The Northern Territory Police Joint Organised Crime Task Force, with assistance from the NSW Police Drug and Firearm Squad, has charged two men and seized 3 kilograms of cocaine valued at $1.5 Million, 6 kilograms of cannabis and $255,000 in cash.
In late April, detectives began monitoring the movements of a 41-year-old man in Darwin after receiving information from NSW Police.
On Wednesday, police watched as he buried an empty drum in bushland near the Esplanade in Darwin City.
The 41-year-old returned to the location of the drum, where police allege he deposited the cocaine and $110,000. Detectives later retrieved the drum and subsequently arrested the man the following morning.
Later that same morning, a search warrant was executed at a rural block in Howard Springs. A further 6 kilograms of cannabis and a commercial quantity of Schedule 1 drugs were seized along with $100,000. A 42-year-old man was arrested at the location.
The 42-year-old man was charged with:
- Supply schedule 1 dangerous drug
- Supply commercial quantity schedule 2 dangerous drug
- Deal in proceeds of crime
The 41-year-old was charged with:
- Supply commercial quantity schedule 1 dangerous drug
- Deal in proceeds of crime
Both have been remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court on Monday, 8 May 2023.
Detective Superintendent Lee Morgan said, “This should serve as a warning to all Organised Criminal Networks. We are watching you.
“Northern Territory Police continue to work closely with all our partner states and Commonwealth agencies. These arrests were achieved by police forces working together to achieve a common goal.
“Criminal networks across the country operate without borders. These Criminals now need to understand that law enforcement agencies throughout the country and the world are now breaking down borders, sharing information and resources and achieving great results. Long gone are the days where borders inhibited the ability for police to investigate crimes.
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