Mackay Whitsunday District Police conducted wanding, drug detection and public order patrols in Mackay’s Safe Night Precinct over the weekend as part of operations focusing on drug possession in the lead up to school leavers arriving in the district.
The weekend’s operation, spanning over Saturday night and early Sunday morning held a focus on public order, wanding, drug detection and compliance inspections on a number of licensed premises throughout town.
Across the operation, 14 wandings were conducted, with 11 people arrested for public nuisance offences, and 2 people arrested for possession of dangerous drugs.
Over the past 12 months in Mackay’s Safe Night Precinct, 240 people have been charged with a public disorder offence, and more than 490 have been charged for drug-related offences.
At licensed premises, more than 40 people have been dealt with for liquor-related offences.
Mackay Whitsunday Acting District Officer Superintendent Shane Holmes said the operation serves as a prelude to what the district will be undertaking in the lead up to and during Schoolies at Airlie Beach.
“The possession and use of illicit drugs in our community continues to be a concern for us,” said Superintendent Holmes.
“We will be taking action against people we believe are in possession of drugs and to take them off the streets.”