Drug dens shut

[boulder]

POLICE and the Government are claiming a decisive victory in the war against drugs in the Territory.

 

Yesterday NT Police Minister Paul Henderson told the Sunday Territorian that drug sales from two of Darwin's most notorious drug-dealing premises had all but ceased.

 

Mr Henderson said drug sales had been severely reduced at No 1, 165 Dick Ward Drive in Coconut Grove, known as Speed Plus, and the flats at 33 Lee Point Rd in Moil.

 

"I have just spoken to the drug squad officers and they have said that it has been vastly reduced in terms of its operations," he said.

 

"There is still a bit of activity around them -- I would say that it has all but ceased."

 

Mr Henderson said the reduction was a result of the government's tough stance on drugs.

 

"We are not saying we have got the problem beaten by any stretch of the imagination," he said.

 

"But it is a tremendous result -- it shows that the legislation is working."

 

Mr Henderson said the police would continue to harass drug dealers until their illegal activities ceased.

 

``It is going to be ongoing. It is not going to happen overnight,'' he said.

 

``But we are absolutely committed to harassing these people out of business.''

 

The Territory's first drug house was declared earlier this monthcom dec in Alice Springs.

 

Mr Henderson said a number of premises in Darwin could also be branded drug houses.

 

``A number of houses in Darwin have already had their second notice posted,'' he said.

 

``It is only going to be a matter of time before the first drug house gets declared in Darwin.''

 

The controversial Territory drug house legislation and the corresponding police anti-drug Operation Firefox began in August.

 

Firefox, which has since been shut down, has resulted in:

 

NINETEEN first notices being served Territory-wide;

 

EIGHT arrests;

 

THREE summonses issued;

 

FORTY infringement notices issued;

 

MORE than 1900g of cannabis seized; and

 

MORE than 8g of amphetamines seized.

 

Under the Territory's drug house legislation police can declare a premises a drug house after any quantity of any illicit drug is found in the building three times, after which a sign can be erected.

 

Police have the power to raid a property declared a drug house without a warrant at any time.

 

They can search anyone on the premises and apply for an order authorising an internal search of the body of the person.

 

Northern Territory News