Army drug raids loom

[boulder]

The family homes of hundreds of Territory defence force families could be searched for drugs, it was learned last night.

 

Personnel based at Palmerston's Robertson Barracks were told by army top brass on Thursday they faced spot checks at their private homes.

 

If they refused to allow the search, the army could obtain search warrants and attend the premises with Territory police.

 

The search threat follows this week's announcement in Federal Parliament 47 soldiers had tested positive for drugs at Robertson Barracks last month.

 

Robertson Barracks commanding officer Brigadier Ash Power was furious at the result.

 

He vowed to continue drug tests of 1st Brigade personnel stationed at Robertson Barracks.

 

But families of army personnel said yesterday they were worried their privacy would be breached by the search plan.

 

Brig. Power would not comment yesterday on the plan, but the Northern Territory News has learned specific units were warned to expect random house searches. One army wife, who asked not to be identified, said military police were only entitled to search the property and possessions of ADF personnel. They were not entitled to search items belonging to the partners of ADF members.

 

"But you can imagine they would be very suspicious if they were refused entry to a cupboard or wardrobe belonging to a wife or partner," she said.

 

"We're in a Defence house. When we moved in we knew we were subject to rental inspections, but nothing like this."

 

A Defence spokesman said command made no apologies for its tough stance on drugs. He said it was not clear what would happen to a soldier if a partner or housemate was found in possession of drugs.

 

"We would obviously investigate that claim, but I'm not sure what that would mean," he said.

 

Northern Territory News

[bongonaussie]

yeah..we are getting more like the yanks everyday... :angry:

 

i'd like to see them drug test all the top brass and senior officers too..

 

i bet that would have a few of them shitting their pants..

[wade ounce]

yeah mate it'd put the wind up em hey.but then again,just like the yanks,they'd probably find some bullshit way to cover it up. :angry: :angry: ::

wade

[twentythree]

i was a smoker befoer i went in and i quiote before hand because i went in with the wish to get fit etc. etc.

 

after about 9 months i met quite a number of smokers and took up the habit again, not in anymore though

 

most people in the military are normal people

 

i am the kind of person that would not let some in even if i had nothing, then make them come with the police and as many people as possible and spend money and look stupid... i hope someone does take that stance...

[PHdOwnUnder]

i am the kind of person that would not let some in even if i had nothing, then make them come with the police and as many people as possible and spend money and look stupid... i hope someone does take that stance...

haha yeah i love seeing that happen

happens quite a lot too

[Guest Babybear]

Ive noticed more an more choppers over city darling downs , lots in day last few days an few times over the nite time, make ya wounder what they are lookin for or are they just training .

[Guest Wilderbud]

I used to live in a no-fly zone but when the fireant guys started doing their stuff choppers were cruising the bushland every day. Those guys flew about 10M above tree level and they followed me for half an hour [w/camera - I was fingering and yelling at them too because they were making dust storms] when I was walking home one time - It felt like a Vietnam movie for the first part of it and my heart was racing even though I only had half a tinny on me.

 

There was a lot of people using that bush to plant [old potting soil bags were everywhere].

[Chev]

Total invasion of privacy, and yes, we are getting more and more like the Yanks everyday