Katherine Detectives currently have four males aged 49, 46, 43 and 41 in custody in relation to drugs seized yesterday.

At approximately 7:10 pm last night Maranboy members conducted a vehicle search on a land cruiser travelling on the Central Arnhem Highway towards Arnhem Land.

Further searches of the vehicle were conducted, locating 137.4 kilograms of kava in 6560 separate deal bags and 225 grams of cannabis in 588 bags.

The illegal substances, if sold are believed to have a street value within the communities of approximately $165,000.

They are expected to be charged with possess and supply commercial quantity of kava, possess cannabis - trafficable quantity and unlawfully supply cannabis to another.

Detective Senior Constable Ken Bradshaw from the Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk said that this is a great result for police.

"Police and other agencies have increased resources within the region specifically to identify and target this type of offending which has a substantial health and financial effect on many indigenous communities" he said.

In relation to the above incident, Members of the Drug Enforcement Section conducted a search on a residence in Coconut Grove, locating a further 3.4 kilograms of kava and 7 grams of cannabis.


Media contact:
Amy Sloan
89223365