Eight people have been charged during Operation Soteria, which was established to address an escalation of violence in young offenders across the Western and Northern region.
Officers attached to Operation Soteria were assisted by officers attached to New England Police District, who conducted high-visibility taskings throughout Moree between Thursday, May 22 and Saturday, May 24. As a result of the operation eight people were charged with 10 offences, 24 bail compliance checks were conducted, six person searches were conducted, five drug detections were reported by police and officers conducted eight positive engagements with youths and their families.
About 3pm on Thursday, May 22, police were patrolling Frome Street, Moree, where they stopped a car for the purpose of a random breath test. Police allege the driver – a 43-year-old man –returned a positive result. The man was arrested and taken to Moree Police Station where he returned an alleged breath analysis reading of 0.056.
Checks also revealed the man was disqualified from driving. He was charged with drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, and drive with low-range PCA.
The man was refused bail to appear at Inverell Local Court on Friday, May 23, where he was given bail to appear at Moree Local Court on Monday, May 26.
About 4.20pm on Friday, May 23, officers attached to New England Police District attended a home on Balo Street, Moree, following reports of a man wanted by police was at the home.
Upon arrival, police arrested a 30-year-old man took him to Moree Police Station. When the man was searched, police will allege they found buprenorphine strips.
The man was charged with possess prohibited drug. Police also executed an outstanding arrest warrant for property-related offence. He was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Local Court on Saturday, May 24, where he was given conditional bail to appear at Moree Local Court on Monday, June 2. Investigations under Operation Soteria continue.
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