Tongan Man Charged After NT Police Seize 125Kg of Kava

A 50-year-old Tongan national has been charged by police in Australia's Northern Territory after allegedly being found in possession of 125 kilograms of kava and more than AU$100,000 in cash. In a statement on Friday, Northern Territory Police said the man was located at an outstation approximately 13 kilometres from Ramingining after receiving anonymous information. Police said the man, "who is allegedly unlawfully remaining in Australia, was arrested and charged with possessing and supplying a commercial quantity of kava, dealing in proceeds of crime exceeding AU$100,000, and entering Aboriginal land without a permit.

Remote Sergeant Noel Santiago said the seizure was an outstanding result for local police and the community. "The illegal supply of kava causes harm in our remote communities and there is significant money to be made by people willing to exploit that demand, he said in a statement. "That's money that the community could have been using to buy essential goods and services." He said the seizure had taken a substantial amount of kava out of circulation, along with more than $100,000 in alleged proceeds of crime and a vehicle.

If you're bringing prohibited substances into our communities for profit, don't assume that being remote means you're out of reach. The majority of our communities don't want you here and will report you. The man is due to appear in Darwin's Nichols Place Court on Tuesday at 12pm NZT for a mention hearing. The cash amount is equivalent to more than NZ$118,000.