Police have charged a man with driving, drugs and weapons offences during Operation Furious on the state's South Coast.
Officers attached to the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command – Traffic Operations Group were performing duties as part of Operation Furious when they attempted to stop a Mercedes Benz about 10pm Saturday (15 May 2021), as it was driven along the Princes Highway, Nowra.
Checks revealed the driver was wanted on an outstanding warrant relating to a revocation of bail.
The 37-year-old man was arrested after a short chase on foot.
When police searched the car, they seized a machete, a hand flare, methamphetamine, prescription medication, cash, digital scales and drug paraphernalia.
The man was taken to Nowra Police Station, where he was charged with supply prohibited drug indictable quantity, custody of knife in public place, drive whilst disqualified second offence, disobey no entry sign, not stop when directed to do so, alight from moving vehicle, possess bright light distress signal etc in public place, and deal with property proceeds of crime.
He was refused bail on Sunday (16 May 2021), to appear in Nowra Local Court on Monday 7 June 2021.
During Operation Furious – from Wednesday 12 May 2021 to Sunday 16 May 2021 – Traffic Operations Group officers targeted speeding and drug and alcohol-affected drivers, as well as light vehicle compliance in Nowra, Bomaderry, Sanctuary Point, St Georges Basin, Huskisson, Milton and Ulladulla.
Officers conducted 362 random breath tests, and 65 random drug tests – three of which returned positive results.
Eight Court Attendance Notices were issued, and one driver was prohibited from driving for 24 hours; 45 infringement notices were issued for speeding, mobile phone, licence and registration offences.
Three drivers were issued defect notices.
Inspector Ben Macfarlane from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command says the actions of some drivers is beyond comprehension.
"Operation Furious is a high-profile traffic operation that is targeted at excessive speeding and dangerous driving; anyone caught putting other road users at risk will be stopped and dealt with to the full extent of the law. This may include seizure of a vehicle and/or license, and time in custody.
"Our officers are working around the clock to keep local roads safe, and it's just a matter of time before those doing the wrong thing get caught," Inspector Macfarlane said.
