Katherine has an unwanted reputation for local drivers being found under the influence of drugs.
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Police have caught another nine of them in the past week.
Five people were charged in a single day earlier this month.
Police today said they have apprehended nine drug drivers in Katherine since Friday.
A lot of them are being caught early in the morning.
On Friday at 5.45am, a 23-year-old man was stopped at a roadside breath testing station and taken to Katherine Watch House where he allegedly tested positive for opiates, cannabis, amphetamine and methamphetamine.
He was charged with:
- drive with prohibited drug in body
- drive unregistered motor vehicle
- drive uninsured motor vehicle.
He was bailed to appear in Katherine Local Court.
The 33-year-old male passenger, and owner of the vehicle, who was on bail for numerous driving related offences was also arrested.
He was charged with:
- breach of bail
- permit person to drive unregistered motor vehicle
- permit person to drive uninsured motor vehicle.
He was remanded in custody to appear in Katherine Local Court.
On Monday at 5.50am, two unmarked police vehicles approached the new traffic lights at the intersection of Stuart Highway and Bicentennial Drive and saw a vehicle drive through a red light.
The 24-year-old male driver was apprehended and conveyed to the Katherine Watch House where he allegedly tested positive for cannabis.
He was issued a notice to appear in Katherine Local Court for:
- drive with prohibited drug in body
- proceed beyond red light
- fail to produce licence on request.
Yesterday at 9.30am yesterday, police apprehended a 29-year-old woman on Stuart Highway near Emungalan Road.
The woman was conveyed to Katherine Watch House where she allegedly returned a positive result for methamphetamine. She issued an infringement for drive with prohibited drug in body.
The 38-year-old male passenger, who was on bail conditions for drug driving offences, was allegedly found with 56 grams of cannabis hidden in his underwear.
He was also conveyed to the Katherine Watch House where he was charged with:
- breach of bail
- possess schedule 2 dangerous drug - traffickable quantity - public place
- attempt to escape lawful custody.
He was remanded in custody to appear in Katherine Local Court.
"These incidents display the carelessness of some drivers," Detective Sergeant Ian Kennon said.
"It is disappointing to see these people not only using drugs but then also getting behind the wheel of car. It is completely reckless behaviour and we will not tolerate it."
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Chris McLennan
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
