A total of 30 positive illicit drug detections were made and 53 speeding penalty notices issued, during a four-day operation in the state’s New England region which concluded at the weekend.
The North West Traffic and Highway Patrol Command – Peel Sector – carried out a regional roadside drug testing operation in Armidale and surrounds from Thursday 19 February 2026 to Sunday 22 February 2026.
Both mobile and stationary patrols were located throughout the New England Police District for the operation, which resulted in a total of 30 positive illicit drug detections from 334 roadside drug tests.
A total of 1493 random breath tests were conducted, with three positive alcohol detections.
Also issued were 53 speeding penalty notices, 80 penalty notices for other offences, three traffic charges, one seat belt offence, one mobile phone offence, and eight defects.
Further regional roadside drug testing operations are planned for the Western Region in the future.
