Authorities in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and South Australia targeted known drug route during first week of Operation Austrans
May 30, 2013
Authorities in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and South Australia targeted a known drug route during the first week of the heavy vehicle compliance campaign, Operation Austrans.
Police from both states and the Territory, together with WA Main Roads, homed in on the Ngaanyatharra Lands, which borders Western Australia and South Australia, because of its well-known route for drugs.
Some 1,360 drivers were breath-tested and 422 were checked for drugs.
“The border is a known major transport route for illicit substances that end up in the Lands and will continue to be a focus of police efforts and was a factor in the location of this operation,” Western Australia Police says.
Out of the 2,323 heavy vehicles intercepted in Western Australia during the first week of Operation Austrans, 166 drivers received traffic cautions, 34 copped traffic infringements while two tested positive for drugs. Another 32 were charged with various offences.
Operation Austrans runs throughout May and June across Australia and New Zealand, focusing on heavy vehicle compliance.
