NT artist accused of drug possession

A TERRITORY artist has been accused of bringing $41,000 worth of high-grade amphetamines into Darwin airport.

Geoffrey James Hewitt, 39, appeared in Darwin Magistrates Court yesterday charged with possession and supply of a dangerous drug.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Erica Sims told the court Hewitt was stopped at the airport and searched by drug enforcement officers about 11.30pm on Wednesday.

The officers found 41g of crystal meth wrapped in electrical tape and concealed in a pouch.

The court heard the defendant, who lives in Jingili, had used a false name to buy his airline ticket and had tried to flee when police stopped him at the airport.

“He walked to the lower level of the airport terminal and was apprehended by police, who told him he would be detained for a search,” Sgt Sims said. “He struggled… and tried to throw the pouch away – the pouch was found to contain methamphetamines.”

Defence lawyer Lorenzo Lodge said his client took four paintings to Sydney on Tuesday to be sold.

Hewitt used a friend’s identification to buy the ticket because he did not have his own with him.

“My submission is the case is not a strong one,” the lawyer said.

“The substance in the pouch still has to be analysed. When police didn’t identify themselves that’s why he struggled.”

Mr Lodge said his client was an artist who sold wood carving through a hotel in Jabiru.

He asked Hewitt be given bail on the grounds analysis of the substance would take six weeks.

Chief magistrate Hugh Bradley denied the application on the grounds Hewitt was a “flight risk” and faced a “long jail term” because of previous drug convictions. The case was adjourned for three weeks.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org/amphetablog.html
Pubdate: Fri, 23 September 2005
Source: Northern Territory News (Australia)
Author: Rebecca Hewett
Copyright: 2005 Northern Territory News
Contact: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Website: http://ntnews.news.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/283