Approximately $29,000 worth of kava has been seized by Bulman Police following a vehicle apprehension yesterday evening.
Police apprehended the Toyota Land Cruiser approximately 46 km’s South West of Bulman on the Central Arnhem Hwy. The search yielded a commercial quantity of kava.
In total, 46.7kg of kava was located within the vehicle. The kava was distributed amongst 968 deal bags, weighing 48 grams each. The seizure would yield approximately $29,000 if sold in communities.
The 32 year-old driver failed to pull over when requested, and drove around the Police vehicle, accelerating down the highway. Police pursued the vehicle for a short distance before it was apprehended.
The vehicle was then found to have four additional adult occupants and five young children on board.
The male offender has been charged with the following offences;
- Possession of a commercial quantity of kava
- Supply a commercial quantity of kava
- Unaccompanied Learner driver
- Failure to display ‘L’ Plates
- Failure to comply with Police Officer’s Direction – Not Stop
The offender has been bailed to appear at court in Barunga on 11th October, 2011.
Acting Superintendent Kylie Proctor from the Arnhem Operational Service Division welcomed the kava seizure.
“Bulman Police has seized a significant quantity of kava, preventing a further 47kgs from entering our communities. This is a great result in our ongoing fight against kava and drug traffickers supplying remote communities.”
Acting Superintendent Proctor added, “It is also disappointing that this man risked the welfare of his passengers, five of whom were children, by eluding Police and failing to pull over when requested.”
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