Police have arrested six people and seized over 200kg of kava in Gove Airport over the weekend.
Senior Sergeant Brendan Muldoon said on Saturday 28 July members conducted routine screening and located the kava in luggage believed to belong to six passengers.
“The kava was concealed in several bags belonging to the alleged offenders on an inbound flight from Cairns,” said Senior Sergeant Brendan Muldoon.
“A man and woman aged 20 and 54 years from New South Wales have been charged after Police found 116kg of kava spread across seven bags. The two alleged offenders are due to appear in Darwin Magistrates Court tomorrow.
“Two men and two women from Gapuwiak and Ramingining have also been charged following the discovery and seizure of 85kg of kava and a bottle of alcohol believed to belong to the alleged offenders.
“This is a significant seizure and Police believe the kava to have an estimated value of $200,000.
“Police are dedicated to removing harmful substances from remote communities. If any member of the public has information in relation to kava, drugs or alcohol in remote communities please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
The alleged offenders have been charged with the following:
- Man aged 20 years - Possess commercial quantity of kava and traffic commercial quantity of kava
- Woman aged 54years - Possess commercial quantity of kava and traffic commercial quantity of kava
- Man aged 38 years - Possess commercial quantity of kava and traffic commercial quantity of kava
- Man aged 41 years - Possess commercial quantity of kava and traffic commercial quantity of kava
- Woman aged 20 years - Possess commercial quantity of kava and traffic commercial quantity of kava
- Woman aged 40 years - Possess commercial quantity of kava and traffic commercial quantity of kava
