29-year-old handed slew of charges after stolen excavator found in Berry Springs

NT Police have handed a man a number of charges including the theft of an excavator.

NT Police have handed a 29-year-old a number of charges including the theft of an excavator and possession of two unregistered firearms.

A commercial excavator was reported as stolen east of the Arnhem Hwy, Adelaide River Bridge crossing in mid-September.

Acting on information received Strike Force Trident executed were able to locate the five-tonne machine at a property in Berry Springs on Tuesday.

In addition to the excavator police also located a stolen motorbike, a trafficable amount of methamphetamine and cannabis, two firearms, a large quantity of mixed ammunition and other items indicative of drug supply.

The 29-year-old man was arrested at the property and was later handed a number of charges including possession of a trafficable of a schedule 1 and a schedule 2 dangerous drug.

He was also charged with the supply of less than a commercial quantity of both drugs, aggravated unlawful use of a motor vehicle, unlawfully possessing property, possessing equipment to manufacture drug or precursor and possession of thing to administer.

He was also handed a number of firearm charges including two counts of possess/use of a prohibited firearm, possess/use of firearm while unlicensed, failure to meet storage requirements, two counts of unlicensed firearms, possessing ammunition without permit/licence and possess, use or carry of a prohibited weapon.

“During the execution of the search warrant, members observed a number of other suspicious items and sought an additional warrant to continue searching the property,” Constable David Emmott said.

“Thanks to the information received that led to the recovery of the stolen excavator, Police were also able to interrupt the supply of dangerous drugs into the community.”

He was remanded to appear in court on Thursday.