Security-conscious apartment residents alert police to suspected drug dealing
ACT Policing arrested a 29-year-old Capalaba (Qld) man for drug possession at a Canberra City apartment building on Saturday (4 September 2021) after responding to security concerns from residents.
About 8.35pm Saturday, residents observed a red Mazda 6 enter their building’s secure car park by tail-gaiting another vehicle. The residents observed two people from the Mazda then enter the building, and alerted police to their security concerns.
Police responded about 8.55pm, and upon discovering people were in an apartment who did not reside there, the officers suspected a breach of public health directions.
The officers then entered the residence and found five people (four men and one woman) were in the apartment, along with drug paraphernalia and a substance suspected of being methylamphetamine.
A further search of the premises located several additional bags containing a substance suspected of being methylamphetamine, with an estimated street value in excess of $12,000
Four of the people in the apartment were directed to return to their homes, and further investigations are being conducted into their alleged breaches of ACT public health directions.
The 29-year-old man, who police will allege had failed to appear after a bail undertaking and was the subject of a warrant, was arrested and taken to the ACT Watch House. He is scheduled to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday (6 September 2021) charged with possessing a drug of dependence for sale and failing to comply with public health directions.
Police are making further enquiries into this incident, and additional charges are likely.
ACT Policing and the ACT Government encourage residents of apartment complexes to report suspicious activity. Further advice is available as part of Outsmart the Offender, a program supported by the ACT Government, ACT Neighbourhood Watch, ACT Crime Stoppers and ACT Policing.
Media enquiries
Police Media — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au