Police have conducted a three-day high-visibility operation focused on preventing and disrupting crime in the state's northwest.
Between Thursday (16 April 2026) and yesterday (Saturday 18 April 2026), officers attached to Oxley Police District – assisted by officers attached to Operation Soteria, Western Region Operations Support Group, Youth Command, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and the Dog Unit – saturated the Tamworth area under Operation Soteria to target and reduce crime.
As a result of the operation, police arrested and charged eight people with a total of 15 offences.
There were also four people issued with Field Court Attendances Notices.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Command performed 392 stationary random breath tests and 141 mobile random breath tests It will be alleged that three drivers returned a positive result to an illicit drug.
In addition to this, 37 traffic and speeding infringement notices were issued.
Youth Command officers also attended three community engagements with over 300 youths in attendance.
Incidents of note:
- About 9.40pm on Thursday (16 April 2026) it will be alleged that police attempted to stop a motorcycle on Ebbsworth Street, Taminda, due to its manner riding. When the motorcycle failed to stop a pursuit was iniaiated. With the assistance of PolAir the motorcycle was tracked to a home on Cole Road, West Tamworth. He was arrested at the premises a short time later and taken to Tamworth Police Station. It will be alleged that the man was the holder of a suspended drives licence. He was charged with Police pursuit - not stop - drive dangerously and drive, licence suspended under s 66 Fines Act. The West Tamworth man was granted conditional bail to appear at Tamworth Local Court on Monday 11 May 2026.
- About 11.15pm yesterday (Saturday 18 April 2026), police stopped a motor vehicle along Kilcoy Street, Gunnedah. It will be alleged that the 25-year-old male driver was found in possession of methylamphetamine and MDMA. Inquiries also established that his drivers licence had been suspended since August 2025. A 39-year-old male passenger in the vehicle was found in possession of methylamphetamine. It will be further alleged that located in the vehicle was a 44-gallon drum containing $700 worth of diesel. Both men were arrested and taken to Gunnedah Police Station. The driver was charged with drive while licence cancelled and two counts of possess prohibited drug. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Gunnedah Local Court on Tuesday 5 May 2026. The passenger was charged with supply prohibited drug >indictable &
