Officers from the Ipswich Highway Patrol conducted over 1000 roadside tests and issued over 150 traffic infringement notices during a four-day traffic operation across Ipswich during the Halloween weekend.
As part of the effort, officers conducted 832 Roadside Breath Tests and 188 Roadside Drug Tests, with six motorists being charged with drink driving offences and 33 motorists being charged with drug driving offences.
Additionally, 165 traffic infringement notices were issued, with vehicle defects and unregistered vehicles making up the majority of offences.
In one instance, a roadside breath and drug test stop resulted in officers allegedly locating quantities of gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and methylamphetamine, as well as a handheld taser.
The driver of the vehicle, a 36-year-old Lutwyche woman, was issued a notice to appear for one count each of possess dangerous drugs, drug driving.
She is due to face Ipswich Magistrates Court on December 15.
The passenger of the vehicle, A 35-year-old Bundamba man was issued a notice to appear for one count each of possess dangerous drugs, possessing relevant substances, unlawful possession of a weapon, possess utensils or pipes.
He is due to face Ipswich Magistrates Court on November 24.
Another incident saw officers intercept an overloaded moped scooter, with its passenger allegedly wearing a hard hat as a helmet.
A 35-year-old Bonner man was issued a traffic infringement notice for failing to wear a helmet.
A 18-year-old Brassall man was charged with a traffic infringement notice for high end speeding, allegedly travelling at 124km/h in a 70km/h zone.
A 36-year-old Flinders View man was issued a notice to appear for one count each of evasion and driving under the influence of liquor after allegedly returning a BAC of 0.170%.
He is due to appear in Ipswich Magistrates Court on November 23.
A/Senior Sergeant Matt Rowe, Officer in Charge of the Ipswich Highway Patrol, said the results of the operation spoke for themselves and highlighted the number of diverse strategies officers use in preventing tragedy on our roads, but also in preventing crime.
“Over the past week, Operation Victor Denhamia was conducted by Highway Patrol Ipswich, in collaboration with internal and external partner agencies, and targeted alcohol and drug-affected motorists and antisocial behaviour around licensed premises and main thoroughfares within the Ipswich District,” A/Senior Sergeant Rowe said.
“The operation was highly successful, and the results speak for themselves and demonstrate an effective, intelligence-driven strategy utilising both high visibility and covert methods.
“The operation result proves these strategies were effective in not only preventing and disrupting crime and The Fatal 5 but in the value of putting the right resources in the right place at the right time.
“The strategies used in Operation Denhamia will continue in day-to-day enforcement activities aimed at making the community safer and reducing further heartbreak on our roads.”
