Eight men and one youth have been arrested for entering a remote NT community without first going into quarantine — breaching the Biosecurity Act, say NT Police.

Key points: Police were tipped off that those on board were bringing alcohol and drugs to the remote community

Police were tipped off that those on board were bringing alcohol and drugs to the remote community A 37-year old man was found with 27 grams of cannabis and was arrested for this and breaching bail conditions

A 37-year old man was found with 27 grams of cannabis and was arrested for this and breaching bail conditions Contact tracing had begun within the community with the assistance of the local health clinic

NT Police said a group of five men left the Tiwi Island community of Wurrumiyanga, where they lived, and travelled to Darwin on April 15, 2020.

"Four additional passengers boarded the vessel and the extended group began the return journey home to their community," the statement read.

"Shortly before arriving, the vessel broke down leaving the group stranded on the water overnight.

"Assistance was provided by a family member shortly before noon the following day."

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Man arrested for drug possession

Police officers said they met the boat where it landed after receiving a tip-off that those on board were bringing alcohol and drugs to the remote community.

A 37-year-old man was found with 27 grams of cannabis and was arrested for this and breaching bail conditions.

Police said investigations uncovered several breaches of the Biosecurity Act by those on board the dinghy, who entered a designated area from an excluded area "without appropriate authorisation or quarantining periods".

The nine were charged for failing to comply with emergency requirements, and contact tracing had begun within the community with the assistance of the local health clinic.

Commander David Proctor said the eight men and youth were arrested in their community on the evening of April 16 and remanded in custody until the morning of April 17, when they appeared in court (via teleconference) and were

granted bail.

"As part of their bail conditions and bio-security requirements, the men are in quarantine in Darwin," he said.

NAAJA calls on police to review charges

North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency principal legal officer David Woodroffe said the arrest raised "serious concerns" for their organisation.

Mr Woodroffe said while it was important to ensure the health and safety of people living in remote communities, NT Police should have warned or fined the group instead of placing them under arrest.

He is calling on NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker to review how the incident was handled, and urged police to make a cautious and considered approach in the future.

"What is of concern is the decision in this case is to arrest and hold in custody and prosecute a group of people rather than the police using their discretion to fine or warn," he said.

Wurrumiyanga, on the Tiwi Islands, is about 80km north of Darwin. ( ABC News: Stephanie Zillman )

Mr Woodroffe said Aboriginal people were already overrepresented in the NT prison system and it was important to ensure they didn't end up in a custodial environment during the pandemic.

"The offences they have been charged with do have a maximum time in jail of five years," he said.

Tiwi Island police and Tiwi Islands Regional Council have since met to discuss the incident.

All non-essential travel to the Northern Territory's 76 remote communities is currently banned and a 14-day isolation period applies for community residents wanting to return home from regional centres.

Under the restrictions, anyone other than essential service workers wanting to enter a remote community must now self-isolate for 14 days prior, including residents wanting to return home.

Communities within nine remote NT local government areas have become designated areas under powers in the Biosecurity Act.

Non-essential travel to remote communities had already been stopped by the NT Government and land councils.

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If you can't contact or get to your GP, but you have the symptoms, you should call 1800 008 002 This is a dedicated NT-wide coronavirus (COVID-19) number for people who need to arrange testing only

This is a dedicated NT-wide coronavirus (COVID-19) number for people who need to arrange testing only If you live in Darwin and need to arrange testing, call the Public Health Unit on 8922 8044

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