A man NT Police charged for alleged drug driving and possession of cannabis plants at his home is a Northern Territory mayor, sources have confirmed to the NT Independent.

NT Police media manager Rob Cross said in a statement that a 42-year-old man was arrested for drug driving in Tennant Creek on Monday morning, after his vehicle was stopped about 10:15am.

He allegedly returned a positive road side test result for cannabis.

“A subsequent search of a Tennant Creek residence resulted in the seizure of a number of cannabis plants and material,” he said.

Mr Cross said the man had been charged with driving under the influence of drugs, supplying less than a commercial quantity of a schedule 2 drug, possessing less than a traffickable quantity of a schedule 2 drug, and cultivating less than a traffickable quantity of a prohibited plant.

He was bailed to appear in Tennant Creek Local Court on October 11, Mr Cross said.

Sources told the NT Independent on Monday evening that the man is Barkly Regional Council Mayor Jeffrey McLaughlin.

Barkly mayor Jeff McLaughlin. Picture: Facebook

Mr McLaughlin was contacted for comment but did not return a phone call on Monday evening.

On Tuesday, he issued a statement saying he was taking “personal leave” as mayor to address “personal matters”.

“For me to continue working as the public face of council through this time will detract from our work,” said the statement provided by the Barkly council.

Mr McLaughlin was elected as a Barkly councillor in August 2017, and served as mayor from September 2020, winning re-election on September 10, 2021.