The Northern Territory Police Force has seized a commercial quantity of Kava in Nhulunbuy on Wednesday evening.

Around 5:40pm, the Dog Operations Unit and Nhulunbuy general duties officers conducted a routine screening of luggage arriving on a commercial flight from Cairns. During the screening, Drug Dog Kobi detected approximately 72 kilograms of Kava.

A 46-year-old male has been issued a Notice to Appear for Possess commercial quantity of Kava and Supply commercial quantity of Kava.

He is scheduled to appear in the Nhulunbuy Local Court on 10 March 2026.

Acting Senior Sergeant Ryan Watkinson said, “Kava continues to cause social and financial harm in remote communities, and those seeking to profit from it show little regard for the impact it creates.

“We remain committed to intercepting restricted substances before they reach communities.

“Anyone attempting to profit from the illegal supply of Kava will be held accountable.”