A 35-year-old woman who was found to be in the possession of more than $50,000 worth of kava has been charged by Nhulunbuy Police.

Members in Nhulunbuy seized approximately 52 kilograms of kava secreted in five suitcases at the Nhulunbuy airport last night.

Police will allege the woman transported the kava from Queensland to the Northern Territory with the intention of selling it in nearby communities.

Senior Sergeant Brendan Muldoon said some of the kava was already divided up into small deal bags ready for sale.

“The kava had been distributed across all the bags, some wrapped in plastic bags and some wrapped in clothing.

“The woman was arrested and taken to the Nhulunbuy Police Station where she was charged with possess a commercial quantity of kava and supply commercial quantity of kava,” said Senior Sergeant Muldoon.

The woman was bailed to appear in the Nhulunbuy Magistrates Court on 3 July 2012.

This seizure comes almost two weeks after Nhulunbuy members seized approximately 50 kilograms of kava hidden in two small suitcases and a backpack at the airport. Two men aged 54 and 32 were charged with supply commercial quantity of kava.

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