More than 100 people have been charged with drug-driving offences following a two-day traffic operation across Sydney at the weekend.
Operation Fume ran on Friday 20 May and Saturday 21 May 2022, targeting drug and alcohol driving offences, and general road compliance across multiple commands.
The high-visibility operation involved officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command’s South and Southwest sectors, supported by general duties officers from local commands.
During the operation, police conducted 743 roadside drug tests, resulting in 101 positive drug tests.
Police also conducted 2938 random breath tests, which resulted in 41 people being charged with PCA offences.
Incidents of note:
About 7pm on Friday (20 May 2022), officers attached to Surry Hills Proactive Crime Team saw a Hyundai pulling over in a no-stopping zone on Richards Lane, Surry Hills. Police spoke to the driver, a 19-year-old man, and during a search located 10 bags of cocaine and more $4000 cash. The man was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug and deal with property proceeds of crime. He will appear in court at a later date.
While there, officers stopped a man about 7.25pm as he rode riding on an e-bike without a helmet or lights. During a search, the 40-year-old man was allegedly found in possession of 11 mobile phones, methadone, heroin, and a knife. He was taken to Surry Hills Police Station and charged with goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, two counts of possess prohibited drug, and custody of knife in public place. He will appear in Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 23 June 2022.
About 15 minutes later, officers stopped the driver of a Subaru BRZ on King Street, Newtown, for random testing. Police spoke to the driver, a 30-year-old man, and during a search of the vehicle, allegedly located 37g of methylamphetamine and more than $70,000 cash. He was charged with commercial supply of a prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, and deal with proceeds of crime less than $100,000. He appeared in court the following day (Saturday 21 May 2022).
About 3am on Saturday (21 May 2022), police were performing stationary breath-testing duties on Carlton Street, Broadway, when they attempted to stop a Mercedes C43 AMG. The driver allegedly failed to pull over and drove off with police initiating a pursuit. The driver, a 29-year-old woman, was arrested a short distance away and taken to Mascot Police Station where a breath analysis returned an alleged reading of 0.103. She also returned a positive drug test. The Central Coast woman was charged with the combined offence of drive with mid-range PCA and illicit drug, drive with middle-range PCA, fail to comply with request or signal to stop vehicle, and police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously. She will appear in Downing Centre Local Court on Monday 6 June 2022.
Traffic and Highway Patrol South Commander, Superintendent Joseph Thone, said it was disappointing to see how many people were still making the decision to drink or take drugs then drive.
“Those people are not only endangering themselves, but the lives all of the other road users,” Supt Thone said.
“We will be conducting further high-visibility operations like this throughout the year, so drivers can expect to be stopped and caught if they are doing the wrong thing.”
