ST GEORGE AREA: Four-Traffic Operation Sees 19 Charged with 35 Offences

A four-day drug and traffic operation in the state’s south west last week saw 19 people charged with 35 offences and police conduct around 3,000 random breath tests (RBT).

Operation Romeo Redshirt involved officers from St George and surrounding areas and included personnel from St George general duties, the Criminal Investigation Branch, Major and Organised Crime Squad – Rural, Road Policing Units and the Roadside Drug Testing Unit and a drug detection dog team.

Police established a static interception site on the Carnarvon Highway north of the St George township where nearly 3,000 RBTs were conducted as well as 185 roadside drug tests.

Three drivers were issued notices to appear for drink-driving and six drivers tested positive to roadside drug driving tests. Officers also issued 28 infringement notices with three people detected driving without a licence. One person was also intercepted driving a vehicle allegedly stolen in NSW.

Search warrants were executed at three local properties which resulted in seven people charged or drug diverted for offences including possessing dangerous drugs, supply dangerous drugs, fail to dispose of syringe and possess drug utensils. All are due to appear in the St George Magistrates Court in coming weeks.

This includes a 28-year-old St George man charged with six offences:

• Two counts of possessing dangerous drugs (methylamphetamine and cannabis) and one count each of supplying dangerous drugs (cannabis)
• Possession of a utensil, possession of property suspected of having been acquired and possess anything used in the commission of a crime under the Drugs Misuse Act after a search warrant was issued at a Carnation Street home on July 12

He is due to appear in the St George Magistrates Court on August 20.

The four-day operation was conducted from July 11 to July 14.

POLICELINK: 131.444

ONLINE: online form 24hrs per day

CRIMESTOPPERS: 1800.333.000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day

QUOTE REF #: QP1900846306

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