NSW Police have charged eleven people and conducted over 770 RBTs during a one day high-visibility road traffic operation in the Illawarra over the weekend.
Operation Fume ran between 4pm on Saturday 30 May 2026 and 2.30am on Sunday 31May 2026, targeting drug and alcohol-driving offences, speeding, vehicle standards, unauthorised driving and general road compliance with a focus on the Wollongong CBD.
The operation involved Traffic and Highway Patrol Command officers, with assistance from Wollongong Police District and Lake Illawarra Police District, conducting mobile and stationary drug and alcohol testing at the locations of fatal or serious crashes.
During the operation, police charged nine people including three drivers with drive whilst suspended, two drivers with drive whilst disqualified, and one driver with drive whilst cancelled.
Police also conducted 777 roadside breath tests during which they detected three PCA offences and 102 roadside drug tests during which they detected 17 positive results.
Officers issued 66 traffic infringements and three defect notice also during the operation.
Incidents of note include:
- About 6:20pm on Saturday 30 May 2026, officers were patrolling Stewart Street, Wollongong, about 200m east of Kembla Street, when they stopped a hatchback for the purpose of roadside testing. Checks revealed the driver's license was suspended. The 44-year-old female driver allegedly returned a positive drug test. She was arrested and taken to Wollongong Police Station where she allegedly returned a positive result for methamphetamine. The sample will be sent away for further testing. The driver was issued with a 24 hour prohibition notice for driving.
- About 6:50pm on Saturday 30 May 2026, officers were patrolling the Cringila area, when officers pulled over a car on Lake Avenue. The 20-year-old male driver allegedly produced a learner's license. At the time the car was allegedly displaying a P1 plate. He was issued with a traffic infringement notice for learner diver not display L plates as prescribed and learner not accompanied by licensed driver/police officer or tester. The offences carry a fine of $330 and $1079 respectively.
- About 7pm on Saturday 30 May 2026, officers were patrolling Crown Street, Wollongong, when they allegedly detected a car showing expired registration. The 28-year-old male driver was issued with a traffic infringement notice for use unregistered registrable class a motor vehicle on road.
- About 12:30am on Sunday 31 May 2026, officers were patrolling the Royal National Park when they detected a car allegedly travelling on Lady Wakehurst drive, Lilyvale, at 126km/hr in a 60km/hr signposted zone. The 21-year-old P2 driver was pulled over and issued a $3054 fine and a loss of 6 demerit points. The driver was also handed an on the spot six month driving prohibition notice.
- About 1am on Sunday 31 May 2026, officers attached to Wollongong Highway Patrol pulled over a driver of a utility on Bulwarra Street, Keiraville, for the purpose of roadside testing. The 46-year-old driver allegedly returned a positive drug test. He was subjected to a secondary test, which allegedly returned a positive result for cocaine. The sample will be sent away for further testing. The driver was issued with a 24-hour prohibition notice for driving. Checks also revealed the drivers license had allegedly expired. The driver was issued with a court attendance notice for drive whilst licence suspended, to appear in Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday 7 July 2026.
Operation Fume continues.
