Barkly Regional Council mayor Jeffrey McLaughlin hearing date set

A hearing date has been set for an outback mayor accused of growing and supplying cannabis, and driving under the influence of the drug.

Barkly Regional Council mayor Jeff McLaughlin is facing a drug driving charge in Tennant Creek. Picture: (A) manda Parkinson, Supplied.

An outback mayor charged with multiple drug related offences has had his hearing date set in Alice Springs Local Court.

Barkly Regional Council mayor Jeffrey Allen McLaughlin has been accused by police of growing and supplying cannabis and driving under the influence of drugs in two incidents.

The 42-year-old Tennant Creek local was pulled over by police in September, allegedly testing positive to cannabis.

Police then searched his Tennant Creek property where they allegedly seized cannabis plants and material.

Mr McLaughlin has been Barkly Regional Council mayor since September 2020.

Mr McLaughlin was charged with driving under the influence of drugs, cultivating less than a trafficable quantity of a prohibited plant, supplying less than a commercial quantity of a schedule 2 drug, and possessing less than a commercial quantity of a Schedule 2 drug.

In February, Mr McLaughlin allegedly tested positive for cannabis a second time in a roadside test after being pulled over by police.

He was charged with one count of prohibited drug in body.

While he temporarily stepped back from his role as mayor following the initial charges in September, it is understood Mr McLaughlin has since returned to the role.

It is understood he is contesting both charges.

On Tuesday, both matters were heard at a directions hearing before Alice Springs Town Court.

Mr McLaughlin did not appear.

Both cases were adjourned to a single hearing date in late August.