Darwin man arrested after biggest meth bust in Territory’s history

Almost $10 million worth of a deadly drug was seized by authorities which involved a Winnellie business premises.

NT Police seized 9 kilograms of methamphetamine after a joint operations investigation led to a Winnellie business premises.

The biggest methamphetamine bust in the Territory’s history has been recorded.

On Friday, 9 kilograms of methamphetamine was seized after a joint operation led authorities to a Winnellie business premises in which the illegal drugs were located.

A short time later, a 30 year-old, long-term Darwin resident was arrested without incident at a nearby residential address.

The man was allegedly arrested while in the process of extracting illicit contents from a cargo package.

Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst confirmed the massive bust was a record.

“(NT Police have) been involved in multiple, large scale importations over many years, but this is the most significant seizure for the Northern Territory where we know that the drugs were destined for the Darwin – or Northern Territory – drug market.”

NT Police Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst.

The joint operation involved the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force and the Department of Home Affairs in an investigation that stretched over “many months”, according to Mr Wurst.

“The ongoing operation involving all of those combined agencies as a part of the (Northern Territory) Joint Organised Crime Task Force culminated in many months of work that allowed that person to be taken into custody without any incident and took that significant amount of methamphetamine off the Darwin streets.”

Mr Wurst said the bust would buy time for addicts to break their deadly dependence.

“It will mean that a significant amount of drugs will be taken from the market and that those who are struggling with addiction will be given some reprieve and hopefully can seek the help and support they require to manage their addiction,” he said.

“The investigation into how the drugs were sourced and how they made it into Darwin is an ongoing investigation.”

The man was due to face the Darwin Local Court on Monday.