June 5, 2014
Seventeen drivers were charged with drug driving during the week-long police crackdown in the South Burnett, dubbed “Operation Pattern”, which wound up on Wednesday.
Officer-in-charge of Kingaroy Police, Senior Sergeant Duane Frank, said today drivers had tested positive to methamphetamine, amphetamine, cannabis or a combination of the drugs.
As well, another three drivers had been charged with drink-driving and police issued 90 infringement notices for various offences, including unlicensed driving and driving unregistered / uninsured vehicles.
“Operation Pattern”, which involved a specialist drug-testing unit from Brisbane, targeted drivers in the Kingaroy and Nanango areas.
Snr Sgt Frank said one woman was caught twice. The 39-year-old Nanango woman allegedly tested positive to methamphetamine and cannabis on the first day of the operation, and then just a few days later she was pulled over and breath-tested, and allegedly recorded a BAC of .088.
The last time the drug-testing unit was present in Kingaroy was in March, when nine drivers were charged with drug driving.
Snr Sgt Frank said police had a zero tolerance to drink and drug-driving, and drivers could expect the unit to return to conduct more operations in the area.
He said the fact that 17 drivers tested positive to drugs this time, and nine drivers were caught over a weekend in March, was more than just a road safety issue, it was a community issue.
“These people have made a very dangerous decision to consume drugs and then drive,” he said.
“Technological advances are making it easier for police to do these tests.
“Police will be doing more drug-testing so the chances of being caught are high.”
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