Northern Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk Officers have seized 48 kilograms of kava following a traffic apprehension early yesterday morning.
Detective Sergeant Ian Kennon said Police apprehended a Mitsubishi Pajero 25 kilometres north of Katherine at around 3:00am.
“Police conducted a search of the vehicle and located 10 large bags containing multiple clip seal bags of kava.
“A total of 888 clip seal bags of kava were removed from the bags, if sold in a remote community Police estimate the kava could have fetched around $133,200.
“Police arrested the 38-year-old male driver and his 54-year-old female passenger.”
The 38-year-old man was charged with:
Possess kava – commercial quantity
Supply kava – commercial quantity
Drive an unregistered motor vehicle
Drive an uninsured motor vehicle
The 54-year-old woman was charged with:
Possess kava – commercial quantity
Supply kava – commercial quantity
Supply kava without a licence
They were both remanded in custody and will appear in Katherine Magistrates Court today.
“Police will continue to target people who bring kava into remote communities,” Detective Sergeant Kennon said.
“Anyone with information on the transportation and sale of kava in the Northern Territory is urged to contact Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
