The Northern Territory Drug and Organised Crime Division (DOCD) has charged four people after a successful operation targeting drug supply in the Darwin region.
On Friday 11 July 2025, DOCD detectives received intelligence that two firearms, being a 7.62mm SKS semi-automatic rifle and a 12-gauge shotgun, were being couriered from Queensland to the NT with a 22-year-old male the intended recipient.
Over the course of Operation Werra, DOCD detectives gathered evidence implicating the 22-year-old male in the commercial supply of cocaine, methamphetamine and cannabis. Through the operation, evidence was obtained that a 64-year-old female, related to the male, was working in partnership with him in the supply of the cannabis.
On Thursday 18 September, a lawful search was executed at an address in Britomart Gardens, Alawa which was allegedly known as the offenders' 'safe house'.
During the search the following was located:
- 560g of methamphetamine
- 1.8kg of cannabis
- $45 000 in cash
A 65-year-old female who resides at this address and is known to the pair was arrested and conveyed to the Palmerston watch house.
Shortly after this arrest, DOCD detectives apprehended the 22-year-old male after he was located driving his Toyota Hilux on Tasman Circuit in Wagaman. Two members attempted to open the driver's side door when the male reversed his vehicle and then drove forward causing one member to take evasive action to avoid being struck.
The police vehicle was driven forward to avoid endangering police further. The 22-year-old male allegedly struck the police vehicle with his vehicle before he was safely extracted and secured on the ground.
Police executed a lawful search of his vehicle, and the following was located:
- 4g of methamphetamine
- $950 cash
The male was also drug tested and returned a positive result. He was conveyed to the Palmerston watch house where he later tested positive for methamphetamine, cocaine and opioids.
A lawful search was conducted at his residence in Curlew Circuit, Wulagi where the following was located and seized:
- A trafficable quantity of cannabis
- 1 x .22 calibre semi-automatic pistol with suppressor
Whilst DOCD detectives were conducting the search at this address the 64-year-old female family member attended and was arrested for the supply of a commercial quantity of schedule 2 drugs.
On Friday 19 September, police executed a lawful search at an address in Earl Place, Millner where 250 grams of cannabis was located.
The 22-year-old male was charged with:
- Supply schedule 1 drug - Commercial quantity x 2 (56g cocaine and 560g methamphetamine)
- Supply schedule 2 drug - Commercial quantity (13.6 kg of cannabis)
- Possess schedule 1 drug - Commercial quantity
- Possess schedule 2 drug - Commercial quantity
- Recklessly endanger life
- 3 x Possess / use prohibited firearm
- Possess / use silencer
- Fail to meet storage requirements
- Driver drug in blood
He is expected to also be charged with possessing 1.25 kilograms of cocaine seized in July 2025.
He was remanded to appear at Darwin Local Court on 29 September 2025.
The 65-year-old female has since been charged with:
- Possess Schedule 1 Drug - Commercial quantity
- Supply Schedule 1 Drug - Commercial quantity
- Possess Schedule 2 Drug - Commercial quantity
- Supply Schedule 2 Drug - Commercial quantity
- Receive property in commission of the offence
She was bailed to appear at Darwin Local Court on 19 November 2025.
The 64-year-old female was charged with:
- Supply Schedule 2 Drug - Commercial quantity (11.3 kg)
- Possess Schedule 2 Drug - Commercial Quantity
- Receive property commission of the offence
She was remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court on 26 September 2025.
Detective Senior Constable Mark Bond said, "The Northern Territory Drug and Organised Crime Division will stop at nothing to prevent these offences occurring in the Territory and we will continue to disrupt the supply and distribution of harmful substances and prohibited firearms into our community.
