NT Police have arrested a 27-year-old male following the seizure of a large quantity of kava in Nhulunbuy yesterday afternoon.
Around 5pm, the Dog Operations Unit Drug Detection Dog Kobi, alongside local police members, attended Nhulunbuy Airport to screen a commercial aircraft arriving from Cairns.
Kobi located multiple suitcases allegedly containing a combined 70 kilograms of kava and 72 illegal vapes.
A 27-year-old male was arrested at the scene and later charged with:
- Possess and Supply Kava – Commercial Quantity
- Unauthorised possession of Schedule 4 substance
- Supply of Schedule 4 substance
He was bailed to appear in the Nhulunbuy Local Court on 16 December 2025.
Officer in Charge of the Dog Operations and Mounted Unit, Acting Senior Sergeant Ryan Watkinson said, “This is a significant detection by Kobi, and highlights the excellent efforts of police to stop the unlawful importation of illicit substances.
“We will continue to act on intelligence and target those seeking to bring these items into our remote communities.”
