Richmond Police District has conducted a two-day high visibility operation on the local waterways in the state’s far north.
Operation Banshee involving general duties offices, with assistance from Maritime NSW and Department of Primary Industries – Fisheries, targeted vessel safety, alcohol and drug-related crime and anti-social behaviour.
The operation was conducted on Thursday (27 December 2018) and yesterday (Friday 28 December 2018), on the beaches between Lennox Head and Evans Head and in the Richmond River at Ballina.
More than 30 vessels were stopped during the operation with breath tests and fishing licence checks conducted.
During the operation, two people were issued with infringement notices for not wearing a life jacket.
A 19-year-old man stopped on the Richmond River was allegedly found with a small amount of cannabis and was issued a cannabis caution.
Richmond Police District crime manager, Detective Inspector Cameron Lindsay said the operation was well received by the local community.
“Operations like this are about improving behaviour on the water so that everyone has a fun and safe time,” Det Insp Lindsay said.
“Police will continue working with other agencies so that we can enforce and educate the community about vessel safety, speed, alcohol awareness and fisheries offences while on the water.”
Similar operations will be conducted in the coming months.
