Police have commended the crowd on what was generally good behaviour at an annual race day in central NSW over the weekend.
Officers attached to Central North Police District launched Operation Outback Mule on Friday 5 July 2019, to disrupt drug use and supply within Nyngan and surrounding areas.
The dates of the Operation coincided with the Duck Creek picnic races held annually in Nyngan.
As part of the process, police committed significant resources to the Operation from Nyngan and across the Central North Police District, as well as the Mounted Police Unit, Central North Police District Target Action Group, the Police Dog Unit, Traffic and Highway Patrol, and other specialist resources.
Central North Police District Commander, Superintendent Greg Moore, commended the 5000-person crowd for their generally good behaviour at the event.
“Unfortunately, there were a few minor incidents that were dealt with by police and security quickly, and we will be working with the event organisers to ensure that any issues or concerns that have arisen during this year’s Duck Creek races are addressed and considered in the planning of next year’s event,” he said.
Overall, officers attached to Operation Outback Mule conducted 129 breath tests, four drug detections, five vehicle searches, 21 person searches, 10 licensed premises inspections, five patron refusals/ ejections at licensed premises, two licensing infringements, three criminal infringements, three intelligence reports and issued two move on directions.
- · About 4am Saturday (6 July 2019), it is alleged a car was driven through a camping ground and over the top of four people sleeping in swags at Nevertire, near Nyngan. The occupants of the swags were taken to Dubbo Hospital suffering minor injuries. The driver, a 37-year-old man, was taken to Warren Hospital for mandatory blood and urine testing.
- · About 8pm Saturday (6 July 2019) police conducted a licensed premises inspection at a hotel in Nyngan, allegedly locating a quantity of MDMA on a 21-year-old woman.
- · Shortly later at 9.20pm, police searched an 18-year-old man at the racecourse, locating a quantity of MDMA in capsule form.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Command conducted Operation Ricko on 6-7 July 2019, targeting vehicles attending and leaving the event.
As a result of the Operation, police issued 57 traffic infringement notices for general offences, and eight speeding related infringements.
Of note, a 19-year-old Mudgee man was stopped by police after disobeying a stop sign. The man was arrested after returning a positive breath analysis and was taken to Nyngan Police Station where he was subsequently charged with mid-range PCA (0.115), disobey stop sign at rail crossing, and not display P-plates.
