Major South West police operation at the weekend part of drug crackdown in Manjimup

Manjimup police showed up in force at the weekend, demonstrating a zero tolerance to illicit substances in the community. Intelligence gathered at a major South West police operation on April 28 and 29 will be used to crack down on illicit drug use in the Manjimup area. Operation Exoleta — conducted by the Manjimup Police Station with the assistance of 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 for driving over the legal limit, two drivers were charged with driving with illicit substances in their system, and multiple drug and weapon seizures were made. Drugs seized included cannabis and methylamphetamine as well as smoking implements. Manjimup Police Station Acting Sergeant Sarah Lowe said the operation aimed to show the community a strong police presence and that the issue of drug use within the community is not tolerated. “We were also targeting drivers affected by alcohol and drugs, drivers committing driving offences and driving unroadworthy vehicles and of course the main target of the operation were those people brining drugs into Manjimup,” she said. “This type of operation will have a big impact on a community like Manjimup as it will reduce crime, it will remove some drugs from the community which has a flow-on effect of reducing harm and making people think twice before they drive when affected by drugs and alcohol.” Act. Sgt Lowe said the intelligence gathered from the operation would be used to continue to crack down on the use of illicit drugs in the community and those people bringing drugs into the community. “The use of illegal substances in the community will not be tolerated by Manjimup police.”