Supersized bust nets 1584 pills

A DARWIN soldier was among two men allegedly caught red-handed in a $75,000 ecstasy bust believed to be one of the Territory's largest hauls.

More than half a kilogram of the amphetamines were seized after two men, aged 25 and 26, arrived to pick up an interstate parcel from a freight company in Darwin on Friday.

Police found 1540 ecstasy tablets, with a street value of $75,000, hidden inside the package after a tip-off.

The NT Police's Drug Enforcement Section and the Remote Community Drug Desk executed a search warrant on the freight company, and used a drug detector dog to discover the drugs.

They arrested the men at the scene when they arrived to collect their stash.

A further search of a Darwin city home one of the alleged traffickers occupied, resulted in the seizure of a further 44 ecstasy tablets and $740 cash.

Acting Superintendent of the Drug Enforcement Section, Les Martin, said the seizure would significantly dent Darwin's supply of the party drug.

``This seizure will have a significant effect on the availability of ecstasy in Darwin and the whole of the Top End,'' he said.

``That's 1584 doses of ecstasy that won't be available on the streets.''

The 26-year-old was charged with possessing ecstasy in a commercial quantity, possessing ecstasy in a traffickable quantity, supplying a commercial quantity of ecstasy and possessing tainted property.

His accomplice was charged with possessing a traffickable quantity of ecstasy and possessing tainted property.

The soldier allegedly involved in the drug trafficking also is likely to face disciplinary action from the military when his civilian case is finalised.

Defence spokesman John McPherson said the military had a ``zero tolerance'' approach to drug abuse but would wait until Darwin Magistrates Court had a verdict before taking action.

``We ... will assist police to eradicate drug use wherever we find it,'' he said.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Tuesday, 24 January 2006
Source: Northern Territory News (Australia)
Author: Greg McLean
Email: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Website: http://www.ntnews.com.au