Manning Great Lakes Police were kept extremely busy over the New Year's weekend dealing with varying matters involving criminal activity and complaints from the public.
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Police were particularly concerned about the number of drug-related incidents detected.
On Saturday, January 2 and Sunday, January 3, three drivers were stopped by Manning Great Lakes Highway Patrol Police in the Coopernook and Harrington areas and found to be driving under the influence of cannabis and methylamphetamines.
The drivers, a 20-year-old Toronto man, a 20-year-old Lansdowne man and a 34-year-old Harrington man, were issued a 24-hour prohibition from driving notice and are awaiting the return of their oral fluid test result from NSW Forensic and Analytical Science Service. The incidents occurred at Coopernook on January 3 at 9.35pm, Coopernook on January 2 at 9.20pm, and Harrington on January 2 at 5pm.
About 9.40pm Thursday December 31, police stopped a 36-year-old Taree man travelling in excess of the 50 kph speed limit on Mudford Street, Taree.
The driver was subjected to roadside tests and returned a positive test to methylamphetamine. A check of his licence status revealed that he was disqualified from holding a driver's licence until December 1, 2021. Police are awaiting the return of his oral fluid test result from NSW Forensic and Analytical Science Service.
About 9pm Sunday, January 3, police stopped a 48-year-old Taree man on Orana Crescent, Taree, for random testing. When police approached the vehicle, they could see two cannabis plants sitting on the rear seat of the vehicle.
Police removed the driver from the vehicle and he and the vehicle were searched. Police say a clear resealable bag containing cannabis was located in the driver's shirt pocket, and a further five resealable bags containing cannabis were located in the vehicle.
The driver was subjected to an oral fluid test that returned a positive result to cannabis and methylamphetamine. Police are awaiting the return of his oral fluid test result from NSW Forensic and Analytical Science Service.
The driver was charged with possessing a prohibited drug and will appear at Taree Local Court on January 19, 2021.
Seven people were arrested across the district for driving while over the prescribed alcohol limit.
Among them was a Bulahdelah man who was caught driving more than three times over the legal limit in Taree on New Year's morning.
The 47-year-old was stopped on Manning Street at 5.35am and returned a positive alcohol breath test.
Upon undergoing breath analysis, the man returned a reading of 0.173 grams of alcohol in 210 litres of breath.
He admitted to consuming between 13 to 15 cans of beer between 3pm New Year's Eve and 3am New Year's Day.
His licence was immediately suspended and he is due to appear at Taree Local Court on February 16.
In another incident, a 39-year-old Bondi Beach man was stopped on Paradise Parade, Smiths Lake at 8.30pm on New Year's Eve.
At the time of being pulled over there was a young child seated in the rear seat.
Police say the man informed them he would probably be over and that he was "just taking my kid around the block to get him to sleep".
He returned a positive alcohol breath test and was then conveyed to Forster Police Station, where he returned a reading of 0.087 grams of alcohol in 210 litres of breath.
His licence was suspended and he is due to appear at Forster Local Court on January 27.
Police say drink driving is a factor in about one in every seven crashes in NSW where someone loses their life. Of the drink drivers/riders who were killed in the five-year period from 2013 to 2017, 93 per cent were male, and 67 per cent were under the age of 40. The effects of alcohol are wide ranging and impossible to avoid.
At around 9.30pm on New Year's Eve, police spotted a vehicle parked in a strange manner at Second Head Lookout, Forster.
A 22-year-old Gloucester man was removed from the vehicle and searched.
The man was in possession of a satchel bag and admitted to police there were drugs in the bag.
A search of the bag located several resealable plastic bags containing cannabis, methylamphetamine and ecstacy tablets, as well as other drug paraphernalia.
He was charged with possessing and supplying prohibited drugs and was refused bail by police.
He appeared at Port Macquarie Local Court by video link and was granted bail to appear at Forster Local Court on January 27.
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Over the New Year's weekend, holiday parks in Forster/Tuncurry were targeted by thieves.
Police say unsecured fishing rods and equipment and pushbikes/mountain bikes were stolen.
Police are asking that people staying in the holiday parks secure all items of value within their caravans, vehicles and vessels. This should ensure that tour time in the area does not become a financial burden and time of sadness as a result of property theft and damage.
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