A large paper bag wrapped in black tape containing 1600 small bags of cannabis have been seized and its alleged owner arrested during a search of a residence in an unnamed remote East Arnhem community, NT Police said.

The 21-year-old man is facing charges of supplying a commercial quantity of a schedule 2 drug and another charge of possessing a commercial quantity, as well as a separate charge of “administer a dangerous drug to self”.

Police said the approximately 1600 bags of weed weighed a total of 1.6kg and was discovered by the Dog Operations unit during the search.

Police did not say what had led them to search the East Arnhem residence on Tuesday afternoon.

“This is [a] fantastic effort by the dog handler and his K9, who have intercepted what would have been a large quantity of drugs in a vulnerable community,” said Acting Senior Sergeant Riva Zio.