Dozens charged with drink and drug driving as police target impaired drivers in Operation Nabbed
Monday, 02 December 2024 06:23:13 AM
More than 100 people have been charged in a two-day operation targeting impaired drivers – mainly drug and drink driving - on one of Sydney’s busiest motorways.
Operation Nabbed took place on the M5 Motorway, between 5pm Friday (29 November 2024) to 5am Saturday (30 November 2024) and 8pm on Saturday (30 November 2024) to 4.30am on Sunday (1 December 2024).
The high-visibility operation was led by the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and involved more than 200 police personnel each night, including officers attached to several South West Metropolitan Police Area Commands, State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad, Dog Unit and PolAir.
During the operation, police were stationed at 18 exit ramps on a 50km stretch of the M5 motorway – from Kingsgrove to Menangle.
More than 460 RDTs were conducted, with 44 alleged positive drug detections. More than 16,700 RBTs were conducted, with 66 people charged with drink driving offences.
In addition, 50 motorists were found to driving unlawfully and more than 500 people were issued with infringements for various offences including speeding, mobile phone use, incorrect restraints and vehicle defects.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman, said police will continue to target impaired drivers in an effort to keep all road users safe.
“Operation Nabbed has proved successful in removing drivers who pose a risk to the community,” she said.
“The priority of police is always the safety of the community. Our goal is to make sure everyone who gets in their car will get to their location safely.
“Police will continue to target motorists who blatantly disregard the rules and those motorists will be dealt with accordingly.
“If you are drinking or taking part in drug use, don’t drive. It’s that simple. If you think you’ll get away with it: think again.”
Operation Nabbed incidents of note:
About 9.20pm on Saturday 30 November 2024, police approached a motorcycle rider who was stopped in an emergency stopping bay on the Hume Highway, Narellan, and attempted to speak to him. The rider then allegedly accelerated away at speed. A pursuit was initiated but was terminated a short time later due to safety concerns. The motorcycle was tracked by PolAir, where the rider was allegedly seen dumping the motorcycle in Chipping Norton. The 32-year-old rider was arrested nearby, with the assistance of the Dog Unit. A search of the motorcycle allegedly found more than $5000 cash and a small amount of drugs, believed to be cannabis. Those items were seized. The rider was subject to a roadside testing which allegedly retuned a positive result to methylamphetamine. He was taken to Liverpool Police Station and charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, possess prohibited drug, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen and deal with property proceeds of crime. He was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Sunday (1 December 2024), where he was refused bail to appear before Campbelltown Local Court on Monday (2 December 2024).
About 12.40am on Sunday 1 December 2024, police observed a 4WD travelling on the M5 at Prestons, allegedly attempting to avoid a random breath testing site. The vehicle was stopped at the site and the driver – a 19-year-old man – was subject to a breath test, which returned an allegedly positive result. He was arrested and taken to Liverpool Police Station, where he underwent a breath analysis retuned an alleged reading of 0.073. He was charged with drive with low range PCA and drive while licence cancelled. The man was also charged with several other offences in relation to a separate incident earlier that night, in which police will allege the 4WD was stolen from an address in Ramsgate Beach. He was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Sunday 1 December 2024, where he was granted conditional bail to appear before Sutherland Local Court on Monday 3 February 2025.
About 8.40pm on Saturday (30 November 2024) police observed an allegedly stolen Volkswagen Golf travelling on the Hume Motorway, Campbelltown. Police attempted to stop the vehicle and when it did not stop, a pursuit was initiated. During the pursuit, projectiles were allegedly thrown from the Volkswagen at the police vehicle. Police successfully deployed road spikes and the vehicle came to a stop on the motorway. The driver – a 16-year-old boy – and his passengers – two boys aged 15 and 16 and an 18-year-old man - were arrested and taken to Campbelltown Police Station. The driver was charged with drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, drive in right lane where speed -limit over 80km/h, never licensed person drive vehicle on road, police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed and not stop at stop line at red light. He was refused bail and appeared before a children’s court on Sunday 1 December 2024, where he was granted conditional bail to appear before a children’s court on Monday 16 December 2024. The three passengers each charged one count of be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner. The 15-year-old boy was refused bail to appear before a children’s court on Sunday 1 December 2024, where he was granted conditional bail to appear before a children’s court on Monday 2 December 2024. The 16-year-old boy was granted conditional bail to appear before a children’s court on Monday 16 December 2024. The 18-year-old man was granted conditional bail to appear before Campbelltown Local Court on Tuesday 17 December 2024. Police will allege the Volkswagen was stolen from an Allambie Heights address on Friday (29 November 2024).