A driver who was detected allegedly travelling at more than 130km/h in North Sydney overnight, has now been charged with drug and weapon offences, NSW Police say.
Police from Harbourside Highway Patrol were conducting speed enforcement duties as part of Operation Safe Return when they saw a vehicle approaching at speed on the Gore Hill Freeway about 10.15pm (Thursday 25 January 2018).
Operation Safe Return, the annual road policing campaign for Australia Day, began at 12.01am yesterday (Thursday 25 January 2018), and ends at 11.59pm this Sunday (28 January 2018).
Officers activated lights and sirens and followed the car from Gore Hill to Cammeray where the driver stopped, and the vehicle was searched.
During the search police seized resealable bags containing a white powder as well as tablets, three mobile phones, and almost $3500 cash.
Police will allege they found more resealable bags in the man’s underwear.
The 25-year-old driver was arrested and taken to North Sydney Police Station where he was charged with
• Supply prohibited drug >indict. quantity (not cannabis)
• Possession of equipment for administering prohibited drugs
• Custody of knife in public place
• Possess/attempt to, prescribed restricted substance, and,
• Exceed speed > 45 km/h.
He was bail refused to appear in Parramatta Bail Court today (Friday 26 January 2018).
Traffic & Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, commended his officers from Harbourside for arresting the speeding driver at Cammeray, and the subsequent discovery of what appeared to be illicit drugs.
"In addition to that incident, at least other three events recorded in Day One results relate to drivers being detected at high speed, who then returned positive roadside breath tests," Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
"Two of the drivers caught speeding also returned high-range PCA readings – a chilling combination.
"It is frightening to contemplate the level of risk to other motorists by a driver travelling at 145km/h with a blood-alcohol level of 0.166.
"During this operation, police have issued 1114 speeding infringement notices, 59 more than the same period last year, and conducted 44,370 breath tests, 12,974 more than 2017.
"No lives have been lost on NSW roads so far," Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
Relevant incidents included
• A 35-year-old woman has been arrested after passing an unmarked police vehicle, then allegedly accelerating to 145km/h while driving along the Riverina Highway at Deniliquin about 12.25pm yesterday (Thursday 25 January 2018). When the vehicle was stopped the driver, from Summer Hill, returned a positive roadside breath test and she was arrested. The woman, from Summer Hill, returned a breath analysis reading of 0.166. She has been charged with high-range PCA and exceed speed by 30km/h. She is due to appear in Deniliquin Local Court on Tuesday 6 March 2018.
• A 22-year-old woman from Maryland was stopped after being detected driving her car at 132km/h in a 70km/h zone on Griffiths Road, Hamilton, about 12.40am today (Friday 26 January 2018). She returned a positive roadside breath test and was arrested and taken to Waratah Police Station where she returned a breath analysis reading of 0.203. Her licence was immediately suspended and she was charged with high-range PCA, and exceed speed by more than 45km/h. She is due to appear in Newcastle Local Court on Monday 5 March 2018.
• A 32-year-old man has been charged after being detected allegedly travelling at more than 100km/h on the ANZAC Bridge about 2.20am today (Friday 26 January 2018). After he returned a positive breath test, the man was arrested and taken to Surry Hills Police Station where he returned a breath analysis reading of 0.199. The man, from Drummoyne, has been issued with a Field Court Attendance Notice (FCAN), for high-range PCA, exceed speed by more than 30km/h, and not obtain a NSW driver’s licence. His licence was suspended until his appearance in the Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday 8 March 2018.
• A 35-year-old man has been charged after a police pursuit through south-west Sydney about 3.15pm yesterday (Thursday 25 January 2018). Police allege the man did not stop for an RBT on Campbelltown Road at Denham Court and a pursuit was initiated. The vehicle was followed to Minto where the man was arrested after the vehicle struck a parked truck. The man has been charged with police pursuit, drive while disqualified, fail to stop at an RBT, and negligent driving. He is due to appear in Campbelltown Local Court on Tuesday 20 February 2018.
• A 29-year-old man from South Maroota has been charged with high-range PCA after police were called to a crash on Annangrove Road at Annangrove about 11.15pm yesterday (Thursday 25 January 2018). The man was taken to Castle Hill Police Station after returning a positive roadside breath test. There his breath analysis reading was 0.179, and he was issued with a FCAN to attend Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday 14 March 2018.
