NT: 16 cartoons of beer stopped en route to dry community

AAP General News (Australia)
12-19-2008
NT: 16 cartoons of beer stopped en route to dry community

DARWIN, Dec 19 AAP - More than 16 cartons of beer headed for a remote Aboriginal community
have been seized by police in a pre-Christmas traffic blitz in central Australia.

The alcohol was detected during a four-hour traffic campaign near Jay Creek on Thursday
night, police said.

It was destined for the "dry" Aboriginal community of Hermannsburg, west of Alice Springs.

Officer in Charge of Hermannsburg Police Station, Sergeant Gert Johnsson, said the
haul was part of an ongoing campaign to stop traffic offences and prevent grog from reaching
communities where is was banned.

"We regularly patrol these roads and find people trying to get grog into Hermannsburg
and other restricted areas," Sgt Johnsson said.

He said nine cartons of beer were found in one car while the other five cartoons were
seized from several more vehicles during Thursday night's campaign.

"We will continue our efforts to stop grog getting into restricted and prescribed areas,
because, if we can stop the flow of alcohol into the communities, not only do we stop
the breaches, but more importantly, we cut down on alcohol-fuelled domestic violence,"

Sgt Johnsson said.

"It also discourages drink driving and keeps communities safe for people to live in."

Sgt Johnsson said one person was arrested for unlicensed driving and drink driving
and two traffic infringement notices were issued.

Seven infringement notices were handed out for bringing liquor into restricted areas.

AAP tr/jfm

KEYWORD: GROG

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