Drug and Organised Crime Squad Detectives have charged three people and seized 100 kilograms of kava in Coconut Grove.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Malogorski said Police executed a search warrant at a storage shed in Coconut Grove yesterday as part of an ongoing investigation into the supply of kava in the Northern Territory.

“As a result of the search Police located a commercial quantity of kava separated into several large bags and divided into smaller deal bags. Police also seized a set of digital scales and 5000 clip seal bags.

“If sold in a remote community Police estimate the kava could have fetched around $100,000.

“Police arrested two men aged 31 and 51 and a 21-year-old woman. They were all charged with possess a commercial quantity of kava.”

The 31-year-old man was remanded in custody and will appear in Darwin Magistrates Court on 27 July.

The 51-year-old man and 21-year-old woman will appear in Darwin Magistrates Court on 4 August.

“Operation Abtei has been running for six weeks and in that time Northern Territory Police have seized 510 kilograms of kava. If sold in a remote community Police estimate the kava could have fetch around $510,000,” Detective Senior Sergeant Malogorski said.

“This is a potentially significant amount of money coming out of remote communities and directly into the pockets of the criminals supplying this product. Police will continue to target kava runners across the Northern Territory because of the devastating effect it has on our communities.

“Anyone who has any information or knows something about the transportation and sale of drugs within the NT is encouraged to contact Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”