Pilbara drugs blitz
One of WA biggest mining centres has been the focus of a massive joint operation targeting drugs and involving police from East Pilbara detectives, Customs and Australia Post.
Det-Sgt Tony Langer said Operation Dupree was initiated after information that Port Hedland was being used as a gateway to bring drugs into the Pilbara.
"Intelligence we have is that people are attempting to import prohibited drugs through the airport, which is domestic and international, through the port and through Australia Post," he said.
Hundreds of fly-in, fly-out workers were met by police and customs officers as they arrived at Port Hedland airport.
Drug-detector dogs were used to screen them and their luggage.
Police there found synthetic cannabis and what was be- lieved to be a synthetic form of amphetamine.
Locals waiting at the airport welcomed the blitz, saying it was long overdue.
One man who did not want to be named said Hedland was in the grip of a drug problem and praised police for taking action.
More than 11,000 parcels were searched at the Port Hedland and South Hedland post offices where police found cannabis, amphetamines and illegal steroids.
A woman in her 20s was charged with drug dealing after police intercepted amphetamines lined in a birthday card.
Det-Sgt Langer said police would continue to work with Customs and Australia Post to disrupt the activities of drug dealers. "My message to anyone thinking about bringing drugs through the airport, port facilities or post is we will find the drugs, we will identify you and we will prosecute you," he said.
Truck drivers were also tested for alcohol and drugs and their vehicles searched.
Police and Customs officers also boarded several ships docked at Port Hedland, searching for consignments of drugs.
Police said local mining companies supported the crackdown.
Detectives said they would continue to do random checks as part of the continuing operation.
