Police from Lake Illawarra Local Area Command had 14 people test positive to drugs during a random Roadside Drug Testing (RDT) operation yesterday, NSW Police said.
Officers from the Lake Illawarra Target Action Group and Southern Region Traffic and Highway Patrol Command conducted the operation – named Operation Detect, using a mobile drug bus in and around the Lake Illawarra area on Wednesday afternoon and early Thursday morning (25 and 26 November 2015).
During the operation police conducted a total of 63 random breath and drug tests.
14 drivers tested returned a positive secondary drug test and were issued 24 hour driving prohibition notices.
Further action may be undertaken against these drivers following analysis results.
24 traffic infringement notices were also issued for traffic related offences.
12 vehicle searches and 28 person searches were also conducted by officers, which resulted in 11 drug detections of cannabis, MDMA (“Ecstasy”), cocaine and methylamphetamine (“Ice”).
The quantities located in two of those detections will likely result in supply charges being laid.
Inspector Darren Brown of Lake Illawarra Local Area Command, said police are very concerned by the large number of drivers testing positive to drugs.
“Operations like this remind motorists that driving under the influence of prohibited drugs is not only illegal, it is highly irresponsible and dangerous.
“Local drug testing operations will continue and police will go on targeting drivers under the influence to try and avoid any further loss of life on our roads,” said Inspector Brown.
