Police have arrested two men, aged 44 and 48 years, for possession and supply of a commercial quantity of kava in Maningrida on Friday 18 November.

On Thursday 17 November, under the provisions of the Kava Management Act, members of Taskforce Seeadler, made up of both the Southern and Northern Substance Abuse Intelligence Desks, and the Dog Operations Unit, searched the Toyota Landcruiser the men were travelling in.

Kava detector dog, Archie, located approximately 35kg of kava in the rear of the vehicle in two sports bags. The kava was divided into approximately 1750 individual deal bags of 20 grams each.

Senior Sergeant Clint Sims estimates the kava has a potential value in excess of $35,000 if sold in Arnhemland communities. “Once again, Taskforce Seeadler has seized a substantial amount of kava bound for distribution in the Arnhemland region.

It frustrates Police that these traffickers continue to supply and distribute substances that have a potentially devastating effect on remote communities.”

The men have been bailed to appear at Maningrida Magistrates Court on 6 December 2011.