NT cops bust alleged cattle theft in Red Centre, but no charges or arrests made nearly a month after
Almost a month after an alleged cattle rustling was busted, the police investigation is yet to make any arrests, or lay any charges. Find out more.
A group “unable to provide the necessary documentation” for road trains full of cattle has police investigating “a report of an alleged cattle theft” – but no arrests or charges have been laid almost a month later.
An NT Police spokesman said the investigation began after cops were notified about the road train on the Plenty Hwy on August 5.
When police arrived, they “discovered several individuals in possession of two loaded cattle trucks” but the “group was unable to provide the necessary documentation for transporting the cattle,” the spokesman said.
But as of Thursday, the spokesman said police had “no updates” to the investigation “at this stage”.
Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association chief executive Romy Carey was contacted for comment, with her office directing this masthead an interview she did with ABC on Thursday.
Speaking with the public broadcaster, she said “there have been a few incidents that allegedly involved several people and large movements of plant and equipment to gain access to properties, and several trucks to move large numbers of cattle”.
She did not elaborate on these incidents when asked by this masthead, but in her interview, she said she was working with the NT government to establish a dedicated stock squad.
The NT Police spokesman said task force starlight was “stood up in 2021 in response to two significant matters” but at “the resolution of these matters the personnel returned to their nominal duties”.
As to the alleged theft in Central Australia, the NT Police spokesman said a meeting with “various stakeholders” took place at Harts Range police station the day after.
“Key discussion points included the management of the cattle station, clarification on grazing permits, and a commitment from all parties to resolve conflicts peacefully,” the spokesman said.
“However, there is an ongoing dispute regarding the management of the station and the associated pastoral leases.
“This issue may proceed to the courts, and the outcome of the legal proceedings will determine who rightfully manages the cattle station, as well as the related capital and land use.”
