Drug dealers beware: Manjimup police to continue major drug crackdown after big year of targeted actions

Drug dealers are being warned they will be targeted as police continue to crack down on drug-related offences within Manjimup and surrounds. Over the past 12 months, Manjimup police have demonstrated a zero tolerance to illicit substances in the community. After identifying a correlation between drug use and other crimes — including family violence, assaults, damage, burglary and stealing — within the town late last year, a heavy focus has been placed on stamping out illicit drug use in a bid to reduce harm. Sergeant Jayden Lowe said Manjimup police had laid 245 charges on individuals for a myriad of drug-related offences since he started in November. “My main goal when I started in Manjimup was to reduce drug related harm — offences against people,” he said. “I believe we’ve done that by targeting drugs. “We’ve definitely seen an overall reduction in every other offence.” Several serious matters are still proceeding through court with lengthy jail terms expected. “We’ve targeted a number of the bigger drug dealers in Manjimup and successfully charged them, taking significant quantities of drugs off the street,” Sgt Lowe said. “Some dealers have received some hefty sentences in court including imprisonment and suspended imprisonment orders. “We have executed 31 search warrants on houses targeting illegal drugs and we have also completed a number of actions and operations targeting specific people and the wider community.” One such operation known as Operation Exoleta — conducted by the Manjimup Police Station with help from the police K9 unit and other officers from across the South West — saw a total of 623 vehicles stopped with all drivers subjected to a preliminary breath test, 45 drug wipes conducted and 42 vehicles searched. Final results from the two-day operation showed five drivers were charged with driving over the legal alcohol limit, two drivers were charged with driving with illicit substances in their system and multiple drug and weapon seizures were made. Sgt Lowe urges the community to help in the fight against drug use in Manjimup by giving the station a call on 9771 9100 or by contacting Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or visiting the website www.crimestopperswa.com.au. Information can also be sent direct to the station via email to manjimup.police.station@police.wa.gov.au. “We need the public’s help to improve what we’re doing,” Sgt Lowe said. “Where possible, we highly recommend installing CCTV in your homes and businesses to help us in the fight against crime and keep the community safe. “Rest assured, we will continue to target those who are causing harm to the community by supplying drugs.”