Rhys Chitty, 21, charged with importing 200g of MDMA from Netherlands to Darwin

Australian Border Force officers have intercepted a package containing MDMA allegedly en route to a 21-year-old’s Nightcliff address. Watch the video of his arrest.

A Nightcliff man will spend the festive season under the supervision of authorities after police busted him allegedly importing 200g of MDMA from the Netherlands in the lead up to Christmas.

Rhys Brian Henrey Chitty, 21, faced the Darwin Local Court on Thursday charged with importing a marketable quantity of the border-controlled drug.

An Australian Border Force spokesman said in a statement officers had seized a package containing the party drug sent via airmail from overseas in Sydney on November 21.

Police will allege the package containing the drugs in a white foil bag and black plastic bag within an envelope was addressed to Chitty’s residence in Nightcliff.

On December 7, officers from the ABF and the Australian Federal Police conducted a “managed delivery of a fully-substituted parcel” to Chitty’s home.

“As a result, a search warrant was swiftly executed and the man was arrested,” the spokesman said.

ABF Chief Superintendent Tracie Griffin said her officers were more alert than ever to illegal importation attempts, particularly in the lead up to Christmas.

“Our officers are working tirelessly through the holiday period to keep Northern Territorians safe,” she said.

“Our message is very simple — do not try to illegally import dangerous drugs.

“If you do, you will be caught and face the consequences.

“This young man now faces what I imagine is a very unwelcome Christmas present — with a maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment for importation of a marketable quantity of MDMA.”

Rhys Chitty leaves court in a red Mazda MX-5 convertible after having his bail varied on Thursday. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

In court on Thursday, judge Therese Austin varied Chitty’s bail, which had previously been granted the day after his arrest, so he would be supervised by probation and parole officers.

“Mr Chitty, you now need to go down to the registry and enter into your new bail undertaking,” she said.

“It’s very similar to the old undertaking, it’s $5000 own recognisance, you’re still staying at (the same address) but you will be monitored now by probation and parole, they do need to fit electronic monitoring.

“You’re not to consume any dangerous drugs and you are to submit to testing.”

Chitty spoke only to tell Ms Austin he had already surrendered his passport, with his lawyer Sam Davison telling Ms Austin his client was “happy to comply” with his bail conditions.

“You’re not to attend within 100m of the Darwin airport, you have to wear electronic monitoring,” she said.

“They’re going to put an exclusion zone around it … and you are to surrender your passport which you’ve already done.”

He returns to court for a preliminary examination mention on March 19.