Mine Workers Targeted In Drug Operation

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A police operation targeting fly-in fly-out mine workers has resulted in the seizure of a quantity of drugs.

 

Police, with the assistance of Customs and the Australian Federal Police, targeted more than 2,500 mine workers and their luggage for illicit drugs and explosives over four days this month.

 

Drug and explosive detection dogs were also used to search the workers at airports in Perth, Darwin, Alice Springs and Adelaide.

 

Detective Senior Constable John Garden says officers were alarmed to find cannabis and the drug 'ice' among the three batches of drugs on workers flying back from mine sites.

 

"You can't say the results were good, we did come across some drugs and unfortunately the drugs were coming off-site," he said.

 

"The quantities weren't that large but I guess the concern there is what was the quantity going the other way."

 

Police are also using forensic technology to find the owner of a parcel of drugs left unattended on one flight.

 

One man has been charged with possession of cannabis.

 

Police say they expect to lay more charges over coming weeks.

 

Date: 23 September 2010

Source: ABC News Perth

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/09/24/3021437.htm