A gang of international drug runners is believed to have used Katherine as a way point on their trips between Mount Isa and Darwin.
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Members from Joint Organised Crime Taskforce Nemesis have charged four males following a four-month operation into the supply of illicit drugs in the Northern Territory.
“The operation identified a sophisticated syndicate that transported MDMA and cocaine from the United Kingdom to Darwin,” Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Stringer said.
“Police allege that on October 8, two males traveled to Mount Isa where they collected a package containing drugs,” he said.
A police spokeswoman said the gang would necessarily have traveled through Katherine on their drug runs.
“The pair then traveled back to Darwin on October 11 and dropped the package at a Darwin CBD storage shed. They were arrested shortly after,” Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Stringer said.
“A third male attended the shed and collected items from the package. Upon doing so, members from Taskforce Nemesis and the Territory Response Group arrested him.
“The package was found to contain 1.2 kilograms of MDMA pills and 127 grams of cocaine.
“Two search warrants were then carried out at two Darwin residences where a fourth man was arrested. During these warrants, police seized five grams of MDMA along with a number of electronic devices.”
A 36-year-old Irish national, a 31-year-old UK national, a 24-year-old French national and a 41-year-old Darwin man were all charged with supply commercial quantity of a schedule 1 drug (x2).
They were remanded in custody to appear in Darwin Local Court today.
These latest results add to three arrests that occurred in July 2017 when police seized 400 grams of MDMA and 230 grams of cocaine.
Police will allege the syndicate has been involved in multiple importations over the last 12 months that contribute significantly to the Darwin cocaine and MDMA market.
“This is another excellent result for Taskforce Nemesis, which is committed to providing a multi-agency approach to combat illicit substances that enter the Territory,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Stringer.
“The message to drug traffickers is simple: Your business is not welcome here, and we will continue to use all resources available to dismantle your trade and bring you to justice.”
If you have any information on the sale or supply of illicit substances in the Territory, contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. You can remain anonymous.