A 53-year-old woman who lied to Police about her identity while trying to enter NSW from Victoria, after being turned around from the border four days earlier, has been fined $2000 and will face court on related charges.
Police say that just before 12.30am on Friday, officers attached to Operation Border Closure stopped a Nissan Patrol at the checkpoint on Murray Valley Highway at Euston.
Police spoke with the female driver, who indicated she did not have identification or a permit because her purse had been stolen.
She verbally provided her details to be checked, which revealed that there was no driver’s licence recorded for that identity, and entry into NSW had been refused four days prior.
While speaking with the woman, officers noticed a handbag on the back seat of the vehicle, which was then established to belong to her. It contained identification in a different name – the woman’s true identity.
During a search of the woman’s belongings, police also located and seized heroin and further checks revealed the woman’s licence was suspended until 2021.
The woman was issued a Court Attendance Notice for drive whilst disqualified and possess prohibited drug and is due to appear in court at a later date.
She was also issued with a $1000 PIN for fail to comply notice/direction in relation to section 7/8/9 COVID-19 and a second $1000 PIN for fail to provide/give false information on request COVID-19 Border Control.
The woman is one of 16 individuals, and one business, who were issued with Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) at the weekend following a number of alleged breaches of Ministerial Directions under the Public Health Act.
Police are reminding the community that restrictions still apply for travel from Victoria into NSW, and exempt residents must use specific routes to be granted entry at the southern border.
Under a new exemptions issued by the NSW Government on Friday, returning NSW residents and residents of Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and the ACT and Northern Territory may enter NSW at one designated checkpoint without a permit and only if they meet certain criteria.
These residents will only be granted entry at the George Caffey Bridge on the Sturt Highway at Mildura.
In addition, they must not have been in Victoria in the previous 14 days, other than travelling on the Sturt Highway for the purpose of getting to or from NSW and South Australia.
More information about restrictions at the border can be found at: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/what-you-can-and-cant-do-under-rules/border-restrictions
