An Alice Springs publican has appeared in court after allegedly using his taxi to sell alcohol to the public during shutdown.
Anthony Habib, who is the licensee of Bojangles Restaurant and Saloon, was arrested on May 21, 2020.
CCTV footage subsequently obtained by police from Habib's cab led to him being charged with 150 counts of unauthorised sales of liquor during April and May.
"Alcohol Policing Unit, Police Auxiliary Liquor inspectors and general duty members are working together and engaging technology support through CCTV to identify and address alcohol-related harm in our communities," a police statement said.
Habib faced court earlier this week over the charges.
Bojangles was closed due to COVID-19 measures from late March. At the time of the initial charge police issued a 48-hour liquor suspension notice for the venue, although it was not open at the time.
Court documents allege that Habib would negotiate the type and price of alcohol with his passengers before telling them to wait for him while he went to Bojangles to collect the liquor, with transactions ranging a $150 bottle of rum to four bottles of chardonnay wine for $100.
When police arrested Habib they seized two bottles of rum and $150 cash. He will next appear in court on August 17.
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