Northern Territory Police's newest Drug Detection Dog, Uno, has wasted no time making his mark, helping locate illicit drugs during his very first operational deployment in Katherine.

Members from the Katherine Dog Operations Unit observed a man behaving suspiciously in the Katherine CBD yesterday before he entered a vehicle and drove to a nearby hotel.

Police intercepted the vehicle, where the driver underwent roadside drug testing before Drug Detection Dog Uno was deployed to conduct a screening of the vehicle. Uno gave several positive indications to the presence of illicit drugs.

A subsequent search of the vehicle located two used methamphetamine pipes and approximately 3.5 grams of methamphetamine concealed inside a toiletry bag and a first aid kit.

The 55-year-old Darwin man returned a positive roadside drug test and was arrested.

He has been charged with:

• Possess Traffickable Quantity of Schedule 1 Dangerous Drug – Public Place; and
• Drive with Prohibited Drug in Body.

He is scheduled to appear in Darwin Local Court in October.

Officer in Charge of the Dog Operations Unit, Senior Sergeant Mat Unwin, said Uno's first operational deployment was an excellent result.

"Uno has certainly lived up to his name, scoring his number one result on his very first operational shift.

"He might be new to the job, but it didn't take him long to show he knows exactly what he's looking for. If you're carrying illicit drugs, don't expect to outsmart Uno."