Two foreign nationals and three heavy haulage truck drivers have been arrested and charged with drug related offences during a cross border operation on the Barkly Highway last week.
More than 2000 motorists were tested and searched for illicit substances and drugs as part of a cross border operation which ran from Wednesday to Sunday involving members from the Northern Territory Police Force and the Queensland Police Service.
As part of Operation Boulder, a drug detection area was set up on the Barkly Highway near the Avon Downs Police Station and motorists were directed into the area by police for drug and alcohol testing and the searching of vehicles.
Throughout the five day operation officers conducted 2235 breath tests, 72 roadside drug swipes and seized 160 litres of alcohol destined for alcohol protected areas.
During Operation Boulder;
- Three truck drivers were detected to be driving under the influence of Methamphetamine
- Two truck drivers were charged with possession of a traffickable quantity of Methamphetamine and in possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Five drivers were detected to be driving under the influence of prohibited drugs;
- One truck driver was charged for being in possession of a TASER;
- One truck driver received a notice to appear for being in possession of an imitation firearm;
- A French national was arrested and charged for possessing and supplying a commercial quantity of a schedule 1 dangerous drug (ketamine). She has been remanded in custody to appear before the Darwin Local Court on 4 October.
- A German national charged for being in possession of a trafficable quantity of a schedule 1 dangerous drug (LSD) and a less than trafficable quantity of a schedule 2 dangerous drug (Magic Mushrooms); She has been bailed to appear before Local Court on 2 October.
- A total of 132 grams of Cannabis seized from 13 different vehicles
- Police seized a quantity of prescription only medication which were possessed unlawfully including a large amount of Viagra;
- 13 traffic infringement notices issued for various offences;
- Nine drug infringement notices issued
- One driver was arrested and charged in relation to having a medium range BrAC and breach of bail;
Acting Deputy Commissioner Narelle Beer said Operation Boulder was successful in removing dangerous drug affected drivers off the road and the seizure in both illicit substances and the secondary supply of alcohol to Alcohol Protected Areas.
“The number of drug affected drivers is alarming and the fact some of these drivers have been behind the wheel of a road train – it’s unfathomable to believe they would put other road users at such risk,” said A/DC Beer
“These results have made us even more determined to target drug and alcohol affected motorists and with the valuable assistance from out QPS counterparts we will continue to perform such operations to make our roads and communities safer.”
“Police will continue to increase the number of cross-border joint policing operations to maintain public safety across borders and throughout the Territory. These ongoing operations will occur with Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia Police and will enhance information sharing to target unlawful behaviours in order to reduce harm”.
