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The Advertiser
13-05-2025
- The Advertiser
Drugs, cash, weapons: drink and drug drivers busted in targeted police sting
A DISQUALIFIED driver allegedly found with drugs, cash and a foldable knife in the car at Broadmeadow is one of hundreds busted in a police sting targeting drink and drug driving. About 10.15pm on Friday, Newcastle Highway Patrol officers stopped the 44-year-old driver on Chatham Road. A check of his licence revealed he was disqualified from driving until 2059. Police allegedly found 96.26g of cannabis, 14.21g of methamphetamine, $1455 cash and a foldable knife in the car. When he allegedly returned a positive oral fluid test, he was arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station, where a second test allegedly returned a positive result to methamphetamine and cannabis. The man was charged with a slew of offences, including driving disqualified, possession of a prohibited drug, drug supply, recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime and having a knife in a public place. He faced Parramatta Local Court and was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday. The arrest was the result of an increased police presence across the state targeting drivers under the influence after concerning road trauma trends last month. Traffic and Highway Patrol officers launched Operation RAID (Remove All Impaired Drivers) at midnight on Thursday until midnight on Saturday. Hundreds of stationary and mobile random breath and drug testing sites were set up across the state, where police also spoke to drivers about fatigue. Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander Assistant Commissioner David Driver said Operation RAID is one of several statewide initiatives run throughout the year to reduce road trauma and serious crashes. "We have seen 19 more people lose their lives on our roads this year compared to 2024. That is unacceptable and that is 131 lives too many," he said. "We run these operations to promote road safety, educate drivers, encourage compliance with road rules and reduce loss of life. "Whilst we saw the majority of motorists comply with the law during the operation, it was disappointing to see some drivers completely disregard the road rules." On Saturday about 1.40am, a police pursuit was initiated at Kurri Kurri as Hunter Vallley Highway Patrol were patrolling at Lang Street. Officers tried to stop a car, when it allegedly failed to do so, a pursuit was initiated. A short time later, the car hit a gutter and stopped. The 20-year-old driver was arrested and allegedly returned a positive roadside reading. When officers searched the car, they allegedly found 320 MDMA capsules, $1060 in cash and other substances in bags. Police also allegedly found large knives and hatchets. The man was taken to Cessnock Police Station where he was charged with a number of offences including drug supply and possession, failing to stop in a police pursuit, novice driver drive with novice range prescribed concentration of alcohol, learner driver not accompanied by driver and possession of a prohibited weapon with permit. He was granted conditional bail at Parramatta Local Court on Saturday and will face Kurri Kurri Local Court on May 27. In April 2025, 39 people lost their lives in 36 crashes. Four are believed to be alcohol-related and seven are believed to be drug-related. This is compared to 37 deaths in April 2024. There have been 131 deaths so far in 2025, which is 19 more than this time last year. During the high-volume, high-visibility operation, police conducted more than 109,796 breath tests, with 132 drink-driver offences detected. Police conducted 6,841 drug tests and 461 people returned positive tests. Officers also detected 1,373 speed-related offences, 286 mobile phone offences and 84 seatbelt or helmet-related offences. Assistant Commissioner Driver said it is concerning to see any offence on the roads, but particularly drink and drug driving combined with high speed. "We will continue to run operations to keep the community safe," he said. "Those drivers who break the road rules risk being detected by police, losing their licence, and facing the consequences of their actions in court." Drink driving, drug driving and fatigue are three major contributors to the state's annual road toll. A DISQUALIFIED driver allegedly found with drugs, cash and a foldable knife in the car at Broadmeadow is one of hundreds busted in a police sting targeting drink and drug driving. About 10.15pm on Friday, Newcastle Highway Patrol officers stopped the 44-year-old driver on Chatham Road. A check of his licence revealed he was disqualified from driving until 2059. Police allegedly found 96.26g of cannabis, 14.21g of methamphetamine, $1455 cash and a foldable knife in the car. When he allegedly returned a positive oral fluid test, he was arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station, where a second test allegedly returned a positive result to methamphetamine and cannabis. The man was charged with a slew of offences, including driving disqualified, possession of a prohibited drug, drug supply, recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime and having a knife in a public place. He faced Parramatta Local Court and was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday. The arrest was the result of an increased police presence across the state targeting drivers under the influence after concerning road trauma trends last month. Traffic and Highway Patrol officers launched Operation RAID (Remove All Impaired Drivers) at midnight on Thursday until midnight on Saturday. Hundreds of stationary and mobile random breath and drug testing sites were set up across the state, where police also spoke to drivers about fatigue. Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander Assistant Commissioner David Driver said Operation RAID is one of several statewide initiatives run throughout the year to reduce road trauma and serious crashes. "We have seen 19 more people lose their lives on our roads this year compared to 2024. That is unacceptable and that is 131 lives too many," he said. "We run these operations to promote road safety, educate drivers, encourage compliance with road rules and reduce loss of life. "Whilst we saw the majority of motorists comply with the law during the operation, it was disappointing to see some drivers completely disregard the road rules." On Saturday about 1.40am, a police pursuit was initiated at Kurri Kurri as Hunter Vallley Highway Patrol were patrolling at Lang Street. Officers tried to stop a car, when it allegedly failed to do so, a pursuit was initiated. A short time later, the car hit a gutter and stopped. The 20-year-old driver was arrested and allegedly returned a positive roadside reading. When officers searched the car, they allegedly found 320 MDMA capsules, $1060 in cash and other substances in bags. Police also allegedly found large knives and hatchets. The man was taken to Cessnock Police Station where he was charged with a number of offences including drug supply and possession, failing to stop in a police pursuit, novice driver drive with novice range prescribed concentration of alcohol, learner driver not accompanied by driver and possession of a prohibited weapon with permit. He was granted conditional bail at Parramatta Local Court on Saturday and will face Kurri Kurri Local Court on May 27. In April 2025, 39 people lost their lives in 36 crashes. Four are believed to be alcohol-related and seven are believed to be drug-related. This is compared to 37 deaths in April 2024. There have been 131 deaths so far in 2025, which is 19 more than this time last year. During the high-volume, high-visibility operation, police conducted more than 109,796 breath tests, with 132 drink-driver offences detected. Police conducted 6,841 drug tests and 461 people returned positive tests. Officers also detected 1,373 speed-related offences, 286 mobile phone offences and 84 seatbelt or helmet-related offences. Assistant Commissioner Driver said it is concerning to see any offence on the roads, but particularly drink and drug driving combined with high speed. "We will continue to run operations to keep the community safe," he said. "Those drivers who break the road rules risk being detected by police, losing their licence, and facing the consequences of their actions in court." Drink driving, drug driving and fatigue are three major contributors to the state's annual road toll. A DISQUALIFIED driver allegedly found with drugs, cash and a foldable knife in the car at Broadmeadow is one of hundreds busted in a police sting targeting drink and drug driving. About 10.15pm on Friday, Newcastle Highway Patrol officers stopped the 44-year-old driver on Chatham Road. A check of his licence revealed he was disqualified from driving until 2059. Police allegedly found 96.26g of cannabis, 14.21g of methamphetamine, $1455 cash and a foldable knife in the car. When he allegedly returned a positive oral fluid test, he was arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station, where a second test allegedly returned a positive result to methamphetamine and cannabis. The man was charged with a slew of offences, including driving disqualified, possession of a prohibited drug, drug supply, recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime and having a knife in a public place. He faced Parramatta Local Court and was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday. The arrest was the result of an increased police presence across the state targeting drivers under the influence after concerning road trauma trends last month. Traffic and Highway Patrol officers launched Operation RAID (Remove All Impaired Drivers) at midnight on Thursday until midnight on Saturday. Hundreds of stationary and mobile random breath and drug testing sites were set up across the state, where police also spoke to drivers about fatigue. Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander Assistant Commissioner David Driver said Operation RAID is one of several statewide initiatives run throughout the year to reduce road trauma and serious crashes. "We have seen 19 more people lose their lives on our roads this year compared to 2024. That is unacceptable and that is 131 lives too many," he said. "We run these operations to promote road safety, educate drivers, encourage compliance with road rules and reduce loss of life. "Whilst we saw the majority of motorists comply with the law during the operation, it was disappointing to see some drivers completely disregard the road rules." On Saturday about 1.40am, a police pursuit was initiated at Kurri Kurri as Hunter Vallley Highway Patrol were patrolling at Lang Street. Officers tried to stop a car, when it allegedly failed to do so, a pursuit was initiated. A short time later, the car hit a gutter and stopped. The 20-year-old driver was arrested and allegedly returned a positive roadside reading. When officers searched the car, they allegedly found 320 MDMA capsules, $1060 in cash and other substances in bags. Police also allegedly found large knives and hatchets. The man was taken to Cessnock Police Station where he was charged with a number of offences including drug supply and possession, failing to stop in a police pursuit, novice driver drive with novice range prescribed concentration of alcohol, learner driver not accompanied by driver and possession of a prohibited weapon with permit. He was granted conditional bail at Parramatta Local Court on Saturday and will face Kurri Kurri Local Court on May 27. In April 2025, 39 people lost their lives in 36 crashes. Four are believed to be alcohol-related and seven are believed to be drug-related. This is compared to 37 deaths in April 2024. There have been 131 deaths so far in 2025, which is 19 more than this time last year. During the high-volume, high-visibility operation, police conducted more than 109,796 breath tests, with 132 drink-driver offences detected. Police conducted 6,841 drug tests and 461 people returned positive tests. Officers also detected 1,373 speed-related offences, 286 mobile phone offences and 84 seatbelt or helmet-related offences. Assistant Commissioner Driver said it is concerning to see any offence on the roads, but particularly drink and drug driving combined with high speed. "We will continue to run operations to keep the community safe," he said. "Those drivers who break the road rules risk being detected by police, losing their licence, and facing the consequences of their actions in court." Drink driving, drug driving and fatigue are three major contributors to the state's annual road toll. A DISQUALIFIED driver allegedly found with drugs, cash and a foldable knife in the car at Broadmeadow is one of hundreds busted in a police sting targeting drink and drug driving. About 10.15pm on Friday, Newcastle Highway Patrol officers stopped the 44-year-old driver on Chatham Road. A check of his licence revealed he was disqualified from driving until 2059. Police allegedly found 96.26g of cannabis, 14.21g of methamphetamine, $1455 cash and a foldable knife in the car. When he allegedly returned a positive oral fluid test, he was arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station, where a second test allegedly returned a positive result to methamphetamine and cannabis. The man was charged with a slew of offences, including driving disqualified, possession of a prohibited drug, drug supply, recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime and having a knife in a public place. He faced Parramatta Local Court and was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday. The arrest was the result of an increased police presence across the state targeting drivers under the influence after concerning road trauma trends last month. Traffic and Highway Patrol officers launched Operation RAID (Remove All Impaired Drivers) at midnight on Thursday until midnight on Saturday. Hundreds of stationary and mobile random breath and drug testing sites were set up across the state, where police also spoke to drivers about fatigue. Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander Assistant Commissioner David Driver said Operation RAID is one of several statewide initiatives run throughout the year to reduce road trauma and serious crashes. "We have seen 19 more people lose their lives on our roads this year compared to 2024. That is unacceptable and that is 131 lives too many," he said. "We run these operations to promote road safety, educate drivers, encourage compliance with road rules and reduce loss of life. "Whilst we saw the majority of motorists comply with the law during the operation, it was disappointing to see some drivers completely disregard the road rules." On Saturday about 1.40am, a police pursuit was initiated at Kurri Kurri as Hunter Vallley Highway Patrol were patrolling at Lang Street. Officers tried to stop a car, when it allegedly failed to do so, a pursuit was initiated. A short time later, the car hit a gutter and stopped. The 20-year-old driver was arrested and allegedly returned a positive roadside reading. When officers searched the car, they allegedly found 320 MDMA capsules, $1060 in cash and other substances in bags. Police also allegedly found large knives and hatchets. The man was taken to Cessnock Police Station where he was charged with a number of offences including drug supply and possession, failing to stop in a police pursuit, novice driver drive with novice range prescribed concentration of alcohol, learner driver not accompanied by driver and possession of a prohibited weapon with permit. He was granted conditional bail at Parramatta Local Court on Saturday and will face Kurri Kurri Local Court on May 27. In April 2025, 39 people lost their lives in 36 crashes. Four are believed to be alcohol-related and seven are believed to be drug-related. This is compared to 37 deaths in April 2024. There have been 131 deaths so far in 2025, which is 19 more than this time last year. During the high-volume, high-visibility operation, police conducted more than 109,796 breath tests, with 132 drink-driver offences detected. Police conducted 6,841 drug tests and 461 people returned positive tests. Officers also detected 1,373 speed-related offences, 286 mobile phone offences and 84 seatbelt or helmet-related offences. Assistant Commissioner Driver said it is concerning to see any offence on the roads, but particularly drink and drug driving combined with high speed. "We will continue to run operations to keep the community safe," he said. "Those drivers who break the road rules risk being detected by police, losing their licence, and facing the consequences of their actions in court." Drink driving, drug driving and fatigue are three major contributors to the state's annual road toll.
Perth Now
25-04-2025
- Perth Now
Plea for motorists to think of children as deaths mount
A tragic spate of road deaths during the long weekend and school holidays has police urging motorists to drive "as if your child is in the vehicle around you". Five people have died in separate crashes in NSW since midday on Thursday, as the nation enjoys an Anzac Day long weekend and the end of school holidays. Another woman was critically injured in an unrelated crash in NSW, while a pedestrian and motorist were killed in separate accidents in Perth - the only other road deaths over the same period in Australia. Three people died in NSW during the Easter long weekend - 112 people have now lost their lives on NSW roads in 2025, five more than the same time last year. NSW Police Assistant Commissioner David Driver is urging motorists to be cautious, especially in regional areas as all five deaths occurred on rural roads. "You should drive your cars as if your child is in the vehicle around you because every vehicle carries someone''s child," the traffic and highway patrol commander told reporters on Friday. "In the last 24 hours, five people have lost their lives. Four of them in northern region, one in southern region." Double demerits are in place for the long weekend, but Mr Driver conceded police could only do so much, stressing motorists must make smart decisions. In the past week, 200 people were arrested for drink-driving and 900 tested positive for drugs. "Please when you're driving your cars, concentrate on what you are doing. A lack of concentration can ruin many lives," Mr Driver said. "Police have been very active to reduce the amount of road trauma, but police are just one stakeholder in road safety." A police pursuit in western Sydney on Thursday ended with a car crashing into a pole. The 33-year-old driver and a 35-year-old passenger were taken to Liverpool Hospital in critical condition.
