Police were conducting Random Breath Testing duties on Oenpelli Road when they stopped a Toyota Troop Carrier.

A search of the car located 45 kg's of kava in 2172 individual bags secreted throughout the interior of the vehicle and a small quantity of alcohol.

A man aged 42 and a woman aged 35 were charged with numerous drug offences including posses and supply commercial quantity of kava and both were bailed to appear in the Maningrida Court on 07 July. The male driver was also charged with drink driving offences.

Helen Braam, Superintendent of the Northern Operational Services Division said,

"Our remote police officers are completely committed to ensuring the safety of the communities they serve. That includes arresting local community members who make poor choices about how they spend their money. The sale of this Kava could amount to upwards of $54 000.00. That's the deposit on a house, or a new car for the family. Instead people choose to give their money to drug pimps who have no interest in the health or welfare of Indigenous people, just the welfare of their own bank balance.
"Rest assured we will continue to relentlessly target and disrupt these pimps until we achieve safer communities devoid of drug and alcohol abuse" she said.


Media contact:
Amy Sloan
8922 3531