Eleven people have been charged during three-day police operation in the state's north.
On Thursday 1 May 2025, officers attached to Operation Soteria – assisted by from officers from Northern Region, Port Stephens-Hunter Police District, Hunter Valley Police District, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Police Transport Command, Youth Command, and Dog Unit – carried out three-day operation in Hunter region.
During the operation,
- 11 people were arrested
- 24 charges were laid
- 18 people and nine vehicles were searched
- 141 roadside breath tests were conducted
- Nine returned positive roadside drug tests
- Eight arrest warrants were executed, and
- One firearm was seized.
Some examples of arrests during the operation include,
- About 12.30am on Friday 2 May 2025, officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District arrested a 26-year-old man on Millfield Street, Pelaw Main, south of Kurri Kurri. The man was wanted on an outstanding warrant related to a domestic violence incident and breach of apprehended violence order. He was taken to Cessnock Police Station where he was charged with contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO (Domestic), aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence, common assault (DV), stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm, hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty, and prohibited drug. He was refused bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court on Friday 2 May 2025, where he was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday 9 July 2025.
- About 10.40pm on Saturday 3 May 2025, officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were patrolling Charles Street, Raymond Terrace, when they attempted to stop an SUV for a random drug test. When it failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated. The pursuit continued along Seaham Road, Raymond Terrace, where it was terminated due to safety concerns.
About 10.50pm on the same day, officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command located the same vehicle on Hilton Road, Hilton. A short time later, the vehicle was located abandoned on Phoenix Park Road, Morpeth, after it became bogged.
Following inquiries, a 28-year-old man was arrested nearby. Police seized a substance – alleged to be methylamphetamine – and a knife from the vehicle. Further checks revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen from Adamstown on Thursday 1 May 2025.
He was taken to Maitland Police Station where he was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, class A motor vehicle exceed speed more than 45km/h – estimated, use etc offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, not give particulars to other driver, possess prohibited drug, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, custody of knife in public place, possess housebreaking implements, drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, drive, licence suspended under s66 Fines Act, refuse or fail to submit to oral fluid test, and refuse or fail to provide oral fluid sample.
He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court today (Sunday 4 May 2025), where he was refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court tomorrow (Monday 5 May 2025).
Investigations under Operation Soteria continue.
