Five people have been arrested following a major police operation involving Victoria Police, NSW Police and SA Police last Friday.
Now in its second year, Operation Tribus targeted criminal activity spanning across interstate borders, and reducing road trauma in the region.
The operation saw a strong police presence during a 24-hour 'day of action'. A range of specialist police also supported the operation, including Victoria Police Air Wing, Dog Squad, State Highway Patrol, Heavy Vehicle Unit; and the South Australia Police and NSW Police Dog Squads. The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator supported the operation, as well as the Victorian Sheriff's Office who recovered more than $18,000 of unpaid fines.
As part of the operation, police also focused on dangerous driving behaviour with the aim of reducing serious road trauma in the region.
The operation saw a high number of police patrols on the Mallee Highway, Murray Valley Highway, Western Highway and country backroads targeting traffic coming into Victoria from both South Australia and NSW.
Police were also positioned on the Sturt Highway at Merbein South, targeting all traffic travelling east from South Australia into Victoria.
During the operation, police detected two alcohol affected drivers and three drug affected drivers, after conducting more than 3200 Preliminary Breath Tests (PBT) and more than 90 Preliminary Oral Fluid Tests (POFT).
• A 36-year-old woman was intercepted by police in Werrimull, allegedly driving without an interlock, before returning a blood alcohol reading of 0.227, more than four times the legal limit. Her licence was immediately suspended and her vehicle was impounded.
• A 43-year-old man was allegedly detected travelling at 127km/h in a 100km/h zone near Ouyen, before returning a blood alcohol reading of 0.117. Police allege the man was not wearing a seatbelt. His licence was immediately suspended.
Police also impounded two vehicles, issued 42 vehicle defect notices and handed out 191 traffic infringement notices for various offences including speeding, unregistered vehicle, driving unlicensed, drink and drug driving.
This included traffic infringement notices for two vehicles travelling more than 30km/h over the speed limit.
Police arrested a total of five people for a range of offences during the operation including:
• A 22-year-old Mildura man was arrested after being detected driving at alleged speeds up to 191km/h near Werrimull. Police later located the vehicle traveling near Lake Cullulleraine, before it came to a stop after police safely deployed stop-sticks. The man fled the vehicle on foot before being arrested by police. He was charged with a range of offences including reckless conduct endangering life, failing to stop on police direction, driving whilst disqualified, using fraudulent plates and contravening condition of bail. He was remanded to appear at Mildura Magistrates' Court on 15 August. Two female passengers were also taken into custody and were released without charge.
• A 31-year-old Boneo man and a 27-year-old woman with no fixed address were arrested after allegedly failed to stop for police on the Old Calder Highway. Police located the pair travelling in a hire car before the vehicle became stuck off-road in bushland. Police Air Wing was brought in to assist police on the ground as the man exited the vehicle and fled on foot. The man was arrested and charged with a number of offences including trafficking a drug of dependence, possession of a handgun and ammunition, driving offences related to multiple incidents of failing to stop for police and committing offences whilst on bail. He was remanded to appear at Mildura Magistrates' Court on 9 August. The 27-year-old woman was released without charge.
Police also located and seized small quantities of methylamphetamine and cannabis during vehicle searches.
Quotes attributable to Mildura Superintendent John O'Connor, Victoria Police:
"This was a high-visibility police operation that embodied the 'one community-no borders' mentality where we have three states working together as one.
"We are consistently working closely with interstate police jurisdictions, including in NSW and SA, to share intelligence on those who try to fly under the radar and commit crimes across borders.
"This operation should serve as a warning to criminals looking to commit crime and dodge detection by moving across borders - you will be held accountable.
"Too many Victorians have tragically died on our roads this year, and we will do everything we can to reduce road trauma in the region. We ask that all road users consider their behaviours on the road to keep yourselves, your passengers, and all other road users safe."
Quotes attributable to Inspector Chris Wallace, NSW Police:
"Barrier Police District are committed to the detection and disruption of illicit drug supply on our roads. We work constantly with our neighbouring states law enforcement in order to develop and use strategies to detect offenders and seize quantities of illicit drugs.
"This goes hand in hand with our commitment to safer roads for all of our communities.
"We do not want drug impaired drivers on our roads, nor do we want any qty of illicit drug being transported through our towns."
Quotes attributable to Acting Superintendent Andrew Kemp, South Australia Police:
"This year South Australia Police committed 82 members to the operation, including officers from the Murray Mallee, Yorke Mid North and Limestone Coast Local Service Areas. In addition to this, these officers were supported by State Operations Support Branch, Traffic Services Branch, Dog Operations Unit and personnel from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.
"Operation Tribus saw a highly visible coordinated police presence focusing on the enforcement of the fatal five leading causes of lives lost and serious injury collisions.
"It is also an excellent example of cross-jurisdictional cooperation to proactively prevent, stop and disrupt the supply of illicit drugs in order to achieve harm minimisation."
