A DARWIN High School student has been arrested after allegedly possessing a sizeable amount of synthetic drugs.

The 16-year-old boy understood to have held 143 tabs of an unknown substance in his possession, which was seized by police.

“We are currently testing the seized drugs but unfortunately criminal groups around the world continually produce new synthetic drugs and distribute these around the world to bypass existing drug laws. As a result it may take us some time to positively identify the active substances in this seizure,” Commander Richard Bryson of the Crime Command said

“We do know that these drugs can and do often produce serious side effects that have resulted in deaths previously in Australia.”

Police said no cases have been reported at Royal Darwin Hospital or by St John Ambulance crews, but were concerned there could still be drugs unaccounted for.

“Parents need to speak with their children. The message is clear — taking illicit drugs is dangerous and potentially deadly,” Cmdr Bryson said.

The boy is being questioned.