Katherine police have expressed frustration after finding six people driving under the influence of drugs in the past two days.
Just after midnight Sunday night, a 31-year-old woman was stopped at a random breath testing station (RBT) on the Stuart Highway and tested positive for cannabis. She was subsequently issued a Traffic Infringement Notice for Drive with Prohibited Drug in Body and Driving with an Unrestrained Child.
At 10:30am the same day, police in Mataranka observed a vehicle attempt to avoid an RBT station. The 34-year-old male driver was apprehended and tested positive to cannabis and methamphetamine. He was charged with Drive with Prohibited Drug in Body and a raft of property offences stemming from a crime spree allegedly committed in Darwin earlier in the year. He was remanded in custody to appear in Katherine Local Court at a later date.
Half an hour later, a 29-year-old woman was apprehended while driving on Acacia Drive and tested positive to cannabis. She was issued with a Traffic Infringement Notice for Drive with Prohibited Drug in Body.
Soon after at 12:30pm, a 32-year-old male was detected travelling along Zimin Drive at 40km/h over the speed limit. He tested positive to cannabis and methamphetamine. He was issued a Traffic Infringement Notice for Drive with Prohibited Drug in Body and Exceed Speed.
Around 7:30am the following day on the same road, police apprehended a 43-year-old man on Zimin Drive who tested positive to cannabis and methamphetamine. He was charged with Drive with Prohibited Drug in Body, Possess Dangerous Drug in a Public Place and other weapons-related offences. He was bailed to appear in Katherine Local Court at a later date.
A couple of hours later, another 43-year-old man was stopped at an RBT on the Stuart Highway. He tested positive to cannabis and methamphetamine and was issued a Traffic Infringement Notice for Drive with Prohibited Drug in Body along with a Dangerous Goods Infringement Notice for Possess Fireworks Outside of Approved Period.
“To find this many drug-affected drivers on the road in such a short period of time is frustrating to police who are doing their best to attempt to curb this year’s horrific road toll,” said Detective Sergeant Ian Kennon.
“We will continue to pursue those who choose to put the lives of everyone at risk with this stupid behaviour.”
This year’s road toll currently stands at 29 – 12 more than this time last year.
