NT Police allegedly seized $1.5m of cocaine, 6kg cannabis and $255,000 in cash in Darwin, Howard Springs bust

Two men have been arrested after 3kg of cocaine were allegedly found buried in a popular Darwin park. Read how a NSW man’s shopping list made police suspicious.

Drugs and Organised Crime Detective Superintendent Lee Morgan the illicit cocaine haul was found buried in an empty drum in bushland near the Esplanade in Darwin City on Wednesday May 3.

The Territory’s largest cocaine bust in decades has been unearthed in a popular Darwin park.

The Northern Territory Joint Organised Crime Task Force has charged two men and seized 3kg of cocaine, 6kg of cannabis and $255,000 in cash in a raid being called the “poster child” for interstate drug busts.

Drugs and Organised Crime Detective Superintendent Lee Morgan alleged the illicit cocaine haul was found buried in an empty drum in bushland near the Esplanade in Darwin City on Wednesday May 3.

“In my memory, this is potentially the biggest seizure ever,” Superintendent Morgan said.

“In the 25 years I’ve been in the police force, I cannot recall a bigger seizure of a schedule one substance.”

Superintendent Morgan said the total estimated value of the cocaine was $1.5m, with the bust stopping 3000 street level 1g deals.

The Northern Territory Joint Organised Crime Task Force has charged two men, 41 and 42 years old, and seized 3kg of cocaine valued at $1.5m, 6kg of cannabis and $255,000 in cash.

He said in late April, detectives were tipped off by the NSW Police Drug and Firearm Squad about a 41-year-old man travelling in Darwin.

Superintendent Morgan said that within 72-hours of the tip-off investigators were gathering information and watching the Mullumbimby man’s “suspicious movements”.

He said over the next few days the NSW man went to Anaconda, where he purchased a 20L waterproof container, JB Hi-Fi for a cryovac machine and finally to Bunnings for a shovel, some gardening gloves, some green cleaning rags and a rubber mat.

NT Police alleged the NSW man was tailed by officers as he travelled to a Howard Springs property, before returning to the buried barrel at the Esplanade.

It will be alleged police watched as he buried the empty drum at the Esplanade on May 3.

Superintendent Morgan alleged the man was tailed by police as he travelled to a Howard Springs property, before returning to the buried barrel.

He alleged at 9.30pm on May 3 officers unearthed the package and found 3kg of cocaine worth $1.5m, and $110,000 in cash.

The next morning the 41-year-old was arrested as he walked out of his accommodation.

The 41-year-old was charged with supplying a commercial quantity of schedule 1 drug, and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

The same morning of his arrest, police raided a Howard Springs rural block where they allegedly seized 5.5kg of cannabis and $100,000 in cash.

It is alleged on Wednesday police watched as he buried the empty drum, before returning to deposit the cocaine and $110,00.

A 42-year-old was arrested at Howard Springs and charged with supplying a schedule 1 drug, supplying a commercial quantity of a schedule 2 drug, and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

Superintendent Morgan said the relationship between the NSW man and the Territory resident was still unknown.

He said the origin of the drugs was still being determined, but said it was likely to have been brought in from interstate or overseas.

“I’d be very, very surprised to learn that amount of cocaine could be sourced locally,” Superintendent Morgan said.

“We have no reason to believe that this person of interest or this offender has any other drugs secreted in a territory,” he said.

The Northern Territory Joint Organised Crime Task Force has charged two men, 41 and 42 years old, and seized 3kg of cocaine valued at $1.5m, 6kg of cannabis and $255,000 in cash.

Superintendent Morgan said information sharing between different Australian police forces meant national criminal networks were no longer safe.

“Criminal networks across the country operate without borders,” Superintendent Morgan said.

“These criminals now need to understand that law enforcement agencies throughout the country and the world are now breaking down borders, sharing information and resources and achieving great results.

“Long gone are the days where borders inhibited the ability for police to investigate crimes.

“This should serve as a warning to all Organised Criminal Networks. We are watching you.”