Bags and bags of cannabis were seized in the Operation Furious crackdown. Photo: NSW Police.
Police are planning to continue targeted operations in western NSW after seizing more than 45 kilograms of cannabis with an estimated street value of about $740,000 during a high visibility operation utilising intelligence to combat traffic offences.
Operation Furious, which involved officers from Barrier Police District’s Traffic and Highway Patrol, was conducted on the Sturt Highway this month. It aims to reduce injury and death on local roads.
During the operation, police conducted 420 random breath tests, issued 25 traffic infringement notices, and issued 20 speeding infringements. Two drivers tested positive for illicit substances, the results of which will undergo further analysis.
But the biggest busts came in two separate traffic stops.
Traffic and Highway Patrol officers stopped a Grey Toyota Grand Hiace on the Sturt Highway, Yanga, after the driver was allegedly detected speeding at about 10:10 am on Tuesday, 9 July.
He was subjected to a breath and drug test and returned a positive result for cannabis. During a search of the vehicle, police located and seized 8.5 kilograms of cannabis.
The 59-year-old man was arrested and taken to Balranald Police Station for a secondary oral fluid test, which was sent for further analysis. He was charged with supplying a prohibited drug over indictable and under commercial quantity and possession of a prohibited drug. The South Australian man was given conditional bail to appear at Hay Local Court on 2 September.
The following day, the officers were patrolling the Sturt Highway, Yanga, when they stopped a white Ford Transit van at about 1:40 pm for a random breath test.
The driver was subjected to a roadside drug test, returning a negative result. After speaking with the driver, during a search of the vehicle, police located and seized 40.8 kilograms of cannabis and cash.
The 54-year-old man was arrested and taken to Balranald Police Station, where he was charged with supplying prohibited drugs over commercial quantities, possessing prohibited drugs, and recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime under $5000.
The Theresa Park man was refused bail and appeared at Broken Hill Local Court on 11 July, where he was formally refused bail to appear at Wentworth Local Court on Tuesday, 3 September.
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