A total of 70 people have been charged with drink-driving offences after 11,130 random breath tests were conducted during a two-day operation targeting drivers in the state's north.
Operation Fume began on Friday 23 June 2023, targeting drug and alcohol driving offences, as well as general road compliance on the M1 between the QLD border and Ballina.
The high-visibility operation involved officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, supported by general duties police from local police districts.
In total, 70 people were charged with drink-driving offences, while 39 drivers returned positive drug tests. There were a further 32 traffic charges, six unrelated charges, and 372 infringements issued.
The licences of all drivers returning a positive roadside drug test were suspended for 24 hours, with further action against those dependent on the outcomes once the secondary results are returned.
Incidents of note:
- About 9.45pm on Friday 23 June 2023, police attempted to stop a vehicle on the Pacific Highway for the purpose of a random breath test. The vehicle allegedly failed to stop as directed, and a pursuit was initiated; coming to an end when road spiked were deployed on Colliers Creek Road, Tanglewood. A 51-year-old man was arrested at the scene. He was taken to Tweed Heads Hospital for testing before being taken to Tweed Heads Police Station where he was charged with fail to comply with request or signal to stop vehicle, police pursuit - not stop - drive dangerously, and drive motor vehicle during disqualification period. He appeared before Lismore Local Court on Saturday 24 June 2023 where he was formally refused bail to appear before Tweed Heads Local Court on Monday 10 July 2023.
- Shortly after midnight on Saturday 24 June 2023, police stopped a vehicle on the Pacific Highway at Ballina. Following inquiries, police allegedly located an amount of cannabis and methamphetamine in the vehicle. A 57-year-old man was arrested at the scene before being taken to Ballina Police Station where he was charged with four counts of supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, and custody of knife in public place. He was refused bail to appear before Lismore Local Court on Saturday 24 June 2023, where he was granted conditional bail to appear before Ballina Local Court on Thursday 13 July 2023.
- About 5pm on Saturday 24 June 2023, police attempted to stop a vehicle near Lennox Head. When the vehicle allegedly failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated; however, terminated due to safety concerns. Police located the vehicle a short time later at Ballina Road, Alstonville, where they arrested a 29-year-old man. He was taken to Ballina Police Station where he was charged with police pursuit - not stop - drive dangerously, and possess prohibited drug. He appeared before Byron Bay Local Court on Sunday 26 June 2023 where he was granted condition bail to appear before Queanbeyan Local Court on Tuesday 18 July 2023.
Further operations will be conducted in coming months.
