Five arrested: NT Police seize huge kava haul bound for East Arnhem
Five people have been arrested and a significant quantity of kava and cannabis seized by police on Wednesday. Read the details.
Northern Territory
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A major police operation has resulted in the seizure of a massive kava haul allegedly bound for remote communities in East Arnhem.
On Wednesday, police received a tip-off that two vehicles were transporting the contraband to Ramingining and Gapuwiyak.
Police intercepted the two vehicles and a allegedly found 121kg of kava.
Also allegedly located in the vehicles was 250g of cannabis and several bottles of spirits
Two women and three men aged between 47 and 59 have been arrested in relation to the seizures.
Police say they first attempted to intercept the vehicles along the Stuart Highway, which they say the alleged offenders attempted to evade by turning back to Katherine.
Additional resources were deployed from Katherine, including more dogs teams and specialist units.
The two vehicles were apprehended on the Stuart Highway where police seized the alleged contraband.
“This operation demonstrates the ongoing commitment of the Dog Operations Unit in disrupting the flow of destructive substances into vulnerable communities,” Senior Sergeant Meacham King said.
“We will continue to target individuals who facilitate the illegal supply of regulated substances.
“This was an excellent collaboration between all our divisions, and I would like to thank all the officers involved in the swift action and apprehensions.”
The five alleged offenders were charged with:
- Possess commercial quantity kava
- Supply commercial quantity kava
- Supply dangerous drug, schedule 2 to indigenous community
Kava is derived from the root of the Piper methysticum plant.
It is traditionally consumed in Pacific Island communities during ceremonies and social gatherings.
In the Northern Territory, it is typically prepared by Aboriginal communities as a drink made from powdered root mixed with water. While possession of up to 2 kilograms is permitted under the Kava Management Act 1998, it is illegal to import, sell, supply, cultivate, or produce Kava.
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Originally published as Five arrested: NT Police seize huge kava haul bound for East Arnhem
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