A 52-year-old man has been arrested for running an alleged sly grog operation in the remote community of Peppimenarti, NT Police said, adding that the bust was the result of community intelligence work.

Acting Commander Kirk Pennuto said after a “protracted and complex investigation” police conducted a search of “a number of specific locations in Peppimenarti” from which alcohol was being sold, including the man’s residence and seized “a substantial sum of cash and a large quantity of liquor – mostly spirits in 750ml and 1L bottles.”

Police did not mention the amount of money or the exact quantity of grog seized.

Authorities believe the liquor was to be sold in alcohol-free remote communities.

“The substantial seizure of alcohol and the disruption of what will be alleged to have been an unlawful commercial enterprise will make the community of Peppimenarti a safer place,” Cdr Pennuto said.

The 52-year-old man appeared in Darwin Local court via video link Wednesday to face charges including unauthorised sale of liquor, supplying liquor in alcohol protected areas, and possession of liquor with the intent to supply in alcohol protected areas.

He remains in police custody and will appear at the Darwin Local Court again on Friday, police said.

Peppimenarti is a community 250 km south-west of Darwin and 134 km northeast of Wadeye. It has a population of less than 200.

Cdr Pennuto said police in the Wadeye region have been “working tirelessly to reduce the impacts of the incursion of illicit alcohol into vulnerable communities across the region”.

He said part of these efforts was the development of “key relationships with people across the region” who are keen to support minimising the secondary supply of alcohol.

“This arrest is testament to the tireless efforts of local police and what can be achieved when Police work in partnership with their communities,” he said.

“Police will continue to target those who seek to profit from the illegal supply of alcohol to vulnerable communities.

“Their activities contribute to antisocial behaviour, violence and poverty. This is not acceptable and we will come after you and hold you to account.”