The Northern Territory Police, Drug and Organised Crime Squad have arrested four people following a multiple jurisdiction operation targeting a network of drug distributors in the Northern Territory (NT), Queensland (QLD) and South Australia (SA).
Operation Lea commenced in December 2022 and has since led to 5 arrests and a total of 53 kilograms of cannabis, and $307,195 in cash seized.
The NT Drug and Organised Crime Squad, SA Police and QLD Police collaborated to target a 52-year-old man allegedly linked to the monthly supply of commercial quantities of cannabis in the NT and QLD.
Last Friday, the Katherine Criminal Investigation Branch intercepted a 64-year-old man and a 32-year-old man in possession of 52 kilograms of cannabis and nearly $177,000 in cash at a motel in Katherine.
Jurisdictions involved in the operation simultaneously conducted search warrants at the residences of alleged linked offenders to the monthly supplies of cannabis in the NT and QLD.
Five people were arrested and charged with supply schedule 2 dangerous drug of commercial quantity and possess tainted property.
Four of these offenders will appear in Darwin Local Court today.
The 52-year-old man targeted in this operation will likely be extradited from SA to appear in court at a later date.
Detective Superintendent Lee Morgan said “People often underestimate the damage illicit substances cause to our community. The Northern Territory Police Force will continue to work with other jurisdictions to protect our community.”
