Northern Territory Police have seized a live cane toad following a baggage screening at Groote Eylandt Airport yesterday. 

The Dog Operations Unit was screening passengers arriving in the remote community when drug detection dogs Lena and Rafa responded to luggage. An inspection revealed the toad hiding inside a work boot.

GEMCO Environment Officers and the Anindilyakwa Land and Sea Rangers were advised and took carriage of the incident. This is the first detection of a live cane toad on the island in more than three years.

Senior Sergeant Tanya Woodcock said, “This was not a deliberate attempt to smuggle in a cane toad. Groote Eylandt Police are always on the lookout for feral stowaways while they’re screening flights for illicit substances. We’ll continue working with the Anindilyakwa Land and Sea Rangers to keep the Groote Eylandt archipelago free of these invasive pests.”