Police say accused cannabis supplier threatened trial witness

A MAN accused of being the Mr Big of cannabis supply to aboriginal communities has warned a witness he will “get her” if she testifies against him, Darwin Magistrates Court heard yesterday.

Kenneth Bruce Hopkins, 30, was arrested on Wednesday after allegedly approaching the witness’s family and telling them: “I’m going to get her and whoever set me up.”

Prosecutor Sergeant Karen Sanderson told the court Hopkins was the main supplier of cannabis to Bgukurr, Numbulwar, Groote Eylandt, Ramingining, Maningrida and the Tiwi Islands.

“He is the ringleader, the one instigating deals in all those areas,” Sgt Sanderson told the court. “He lives in Darwin and sellers come and get it from him personally.

“He gives them cash, drugs and, in some instances, vehicles.”

The prosecutor said Hopkins was arrested on September 15 and charged with 19 counts of unlawfully supplying cannabis, receiving tainted property and supplying a dangerous drug.

The prosecutor said Hopkin’s alleged suppliers “give detailed descriptions of receiving large amounts of cannabis from him to sell worth thousands of dollars.

Hopkins was granted bail but was rearrested this week after allegedly approaching a woman who had sold cannabis for him in the past.

Sgt Sanderson said he “demanded she provide false evidence to protect him”.

Hopkins was charged with four counts of inducing a witness to give false testimony and four counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The prosecutor opposed Hopkin’s bail application yesterday on the grounds he was a flight risk who had access to “several hundred thousand dollars”.

Magistrate Daynor Trigg denied bail, remanding him to appear on November 7.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Fri, 30 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/