A Northern Territory man appeared in Darwin Local Court yesterday (22 September, 2025) charged over the alleged importation of 4kg of ketamine into Australia.
The Darwin man, 22, is the third person to be charged for the alleged importation, which is the largest seizure of the illicit substance in the Northern Territory.
A Northern Territory Joint Organised Crime Taskforce (NT JOCTF) investigation began in April, 2025, when Australian Border Force (ABF) officers at Sydney Airport suspected a consignment which arrived on a flight from Germany contained ketamine.
Initial investigations resulted in the arrest of a 32-year-old Zuccoli man. He appeared in Darwin Local Court on 24 April, 2025, and is due to reappear 14 October, 2025.
The NT JOCFT - comprising members of the AFP, Northern Territory Police, ABF and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission - arrested a second man, 23, in September, 2025, for his alleged involvement. He appeared in Darwin Local Court on 5 September, 2025, and is due to reappear on 23 October, 2025.
It is alleged the 22-year-old Darwin man oversaw the venture and gave instructions to the other alleged offenders.
NT JOCTF allege this man fled Darwin in April, 2025, and the AFP issued a warrant for his arrest.
The man surrendered to police in Victoria on Tuesday (16 September, 2025), and a court order was issued for his extradition to the Northern Territory.
NT JOCTF investigators charged the man on Thursday (18 September, 2025) on his arrival into Darwin Airport.
He was charged with one count of Importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs contrary to 307.1 (1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.
The man was bailed on strict conditions, to reappear in court on 28 October, 2025.
AFP Superintendent Greg Davis praised the efforts of the NT JOCTF, highlighting the strong working relationships the AFP had with law enforcement agencies.
"Joint investigations are testament to the commitment of investigators and show our determination to make Australia a hostile environment for organised crime," Supt Davis said.
"Criminal networks pose a significant threat to Australia's economy, our security and our way of life. Organised crime groups have complete disregard for the community's safety and are only interested in profits.
"Ketamine is a dangerous sedative used illicitly as a 'date rape' drug. Its dissociative effects block sensory brain signals and can cause memory loss, feelings of being detached from one's body and the inability to perceive dangers."
Northern Territory Police Detective Acting Superintendent David Richardson said this seizure represented the largest amount of ketamine ever detected in the Northern Territory and highlights the significant harm these substances pose to our community.
"The NT Police Force, working alongside our partners in the NT JOCTF, remain committed to targeting those who attempt to profit from bringing illicit drugs into our jurisdiction. We will continue to pursue offenders and hold them to account, no matter where they try to hide," Det a/Supt Richardson said.
Australian Border Force Acting Commander Alex Kelsall said the third arrest for the largest seizure of ketamine in the Northern Territory demonstrated that anyone involved in these criminal enterprises will face the full force of the law.
"Our officers are seizing increasing amounts of ketamine at the border and we will not hesitate to work closely with our partners to stem the flow of this harmful drug from entering the country," a/Commander Kelsall said.
