A 46-year-old Tongan National has been charged with supply a trafficable quantity of kava at Nhulunbuy Airport last night.

Senior Sergeant Brendan Muldoon said members seized just over 61 kilograms of kava after searching the man’s baggage.

“The man was on a flight from Sydney to Nhulunbuy with three large heavy suitcases when he was intercepted by local Police at the airport.

“Inside the three suitcases, members located 1208 deal bags of kava and three larger one kilogram bags. The estimated value would be $62,000 if sold in remote communities.

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

The black market kava trafficking is taking a lot of money out of these communities, money that could be better spent on food for families.

“This is a great result in our ongoing fight against kava and drug traffickers supplying remote communities,” said Senior Sergeant Muldoon.

The Department of Immigration have been notified of the incident.

The man has been remanded in custody to appear at Darwin Magistrates Court on Monday.

**Media Note: If using the attached photos please credit NT Police.

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