Major drug bust sees almost 5kg of ketamine seized at Zuccoli and man, 32, in court
A major joint Territory and Federal police operation has seen the Territory’s largest seizure of the drug ketamine.
Northern Territory
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A Territory Joint Organised Crime Taskforce (NT JOCTF) operation has resulted in a Territory man appearing in court Thursday charged with the alleged importation and possession of close to 5kg of ketamine – believed to be the NT’s largest seizure of the drug.
The crystallised ketamine seized has an estimated street value of $800,000.
The man, 32, who was arrested April 23 is due to face court again on 2 May and if found guilty of his charges faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The Taskforce swung into action after Australian Border Force (ABF) at Sydney Airport this month identified the ketamine haul, which police allege were disguised in several sports energy drink and protein bar packages, after it arrived on a flight from Germany.
Ketamine is a dangerous sedative Its dissociative effects block sensory brain signals and can cause memory loss, feelings of being detached from one’s body and the inability to perceive dangers.
Investigators from NT JOCTF, which comprises of members from the AFP, Northern Territory Police, ABF and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), swapped out the illicit drugs for “an inert substance”.
The consignment was then delivered to its intended address in Zuccoli, near Darwin, where officers allegedly observed a man signing and taking possession of the delivery.
NT JOCFT investigators swooped and arrested the man.
During the search, officers allegedly located the opened parcel containing the substituted illicit drugs.
The man, 32, was charged with the following offences:
One count of importing a commercial quantity of ketamine, contrary to section 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
One count of possessing a dangerous drug, contrary to section 7(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1990 (NT); and
One count of supply a dangerous drug, contrary to section 5(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1990 (NT).
Each of these offences carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
AFP Superintendent Greg Davis praised the efforts of all involved in the massive drug bust.
“The AFP, together with our partners under the NT JOCTF have prevented ketamine from reaching Australian streets under this investigation,” Supt Davis said.
“This operation should serve as a significant warning to transnational serious organised crime syndicates – the AFP and our partners remain one step ahead of your illicit activities and will ensure you are brought to justice.”
NT Police Force Detective Superintendent Lee Morgan said NT Police Force reiterated that these drugs were manufactured in unregulated and unhygienic conditions, and anyone choosing to use them was gambling with their life.
“We will continue to work closely with our partner agencies to combat imports of illicit substances into the Northern Territory,” Supt Morgan said.
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Originally published as Major drug bust sees almost 5kg of ketamine seized at Zuccoli and man, 32, in court
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