Police believe the cash was the payoff for a large drug deal in Darwin.

The Holden Commodore was searched at 3.40pm yesterday as travelled south from Darwin along the Stuart Highway. 

Det. Sen. Sgt Mark Stringer said $314,740 was discovered sealed in packages on the back seat.

“This cash is alleged to be proceeds from the large-scale distribution of cannabis in Darwin,” Det. Sen. Sgt Stringer said.

The two men aged 27 and 23 were arrested. 

“As a result of this seizure, further searches were conducted at properties in the northern suburbs and Palmerston,” Det. Stringer said.

“These searches uncovered a further $8620 cash, a cryovac machine, empty cryovac bags, a large vacuum storage bag containing trace amounts of cannabis, and a large duffle bag bearing a strong cannabis odour.”

The men are yet to be charged.

Police were not able to say whether the alleged drug dealers were heading south to Adelaide or east to Queensland, which past arrests have shown to be popular illicit drug routes.

Earlier this week police arrested a 66-year-old man for meth possession. He was due to appear in Katherine court on Wednesday.