Sutherland police have caught more than a dozen drivers with drugs in their system on Tuesday during Operation Blue Net.
Between 7:00am and 2:00pm on Tuesday May 12, 2020, Sutherland Highway Patrol and Sutherland Proactive Team conducted Operation Blue Net in the Sutherland Shire in the areas of; Princes Hwy, Waterfall to Heathcote. Heathcote Rd, Heathcote to Sandy Point and New Illawarra Rd to Alfords Point.
Inspector Phil Brooks said the operation was conducted on high profile roads to detect and reduce use of impaired drivers, general road rule compliance, drug possession and supply distribution.
As a result of the operation the following results were achieved;
- Total breath tests conducted: 85
- - no positive breath tests for alcohol identified
- Total drug tests conducted: 50
- - Positive drug tests:13 (5 x cannabis, 3 x meth, 4 x cocaine, 1 x multiple) = a ratio of 1:4
- Traffic Infringements issued: 23 (for various offences)
- Criminal charges: 4 (1 x prohibited weapon (flick knife), 1 x drug possession, 1 x "Goods in Custody", 1 x possess prescribed restricted substance)
- Traffic charges: 2
- Cannabis caution: 1
- Vehicle searches: 10
- Person searches: 14
- Vehicle Defects: 1
Inspector Brooks said Sutherland Shire Police Area Command will continue to work with the Highway Patrol, and other police resources in an effort to drive down the road toll on local and surrounding roads.
NSW Police Chief Inspector Paul Fownes said police will continue intensive roadside testing in the Sutherland Shire to try and curb the increase in motorists choosing to drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
"The message from police is illicit drugs are illegal to take and they are dangerous when you are behind the wheel of a vehicle," he said.
"Anybody that navigates a vehicle in the Shire can look forward to being tested and if you get caught with drugs in your system, you'll have the full force of the law thrown at you."
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Craig Thomson
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
