Albury Local Area Command joins Victoria Police to launch ‘Dob in a Dealer’ as national campaign continues

A national campaign aimed at mobilising members of the public in the fight against ‘ice’ has arrived in Albury Local Area Command (LAC) this week.

Albury Police will be joined by Victoria Police’s Wodonga Local Area Command tomorrow (Wednesday 13 July 2016), to officially launch the cross-border campaign.

The ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign has been initiated and funded by the Commonwealth Government, and is currently taking place in States and Territories across Australia.

In NSW, the campaign is being held in 21 LACs across the state, over a six-month period between March and September 2016.

It will run in each LAC for two weeks, during which police and Crime Stoppers will conduct community-engagement activities designed to educate the public on the dangers of illicit drugs and how they can show their support for the campaign.

These activities will also highlight the important role members of the public have in helping police to shut down drug-manufacturing syndicates and arrest drug suppliers.

During the campaign, residents across Albury LAC will be urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the online portal, where they can report drug-dealing activities anonymously.

While members of the public are encouraged to report any prohibited-drug activity via Crime Stoppers, the focus of the ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign is the production, distribution and use of ‘ice’ (crystal methylamphetamine).

WHEN: Midday TOMORROW (Wednesday 13 July 2016)

WHERE: Gateway Island

Lincoln Causeway, Gateway Village

WODONGA, VIC, 3690

WHO: Acting Superintendent Evan Quarmby

NSW Police Force, Albury Local Area Commander

Acting Inspector Kathryn Chamberlain

Victoria Police, Wodonga Local Area Commander

Sam Hunter

Crime Stoppers Australia board member/CEO, Crime Stoppers Victoria

Please find below a schedule of the NSW Police LACs involved in the ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign, including their proposed start dates. This schedule is subject to change. To confirm dates and discuss proposed media activities in each command, please contact NSW Police Media Officer Brooke Eggleton via the NSW Police Media Unit on (02) 8263 6100.

“Dob in a Dealer” Community Engagement Calendar

14 March 2016: Redfern

21 March 2016: Orana

28 March 2016: Sydney City

11 April 2016: Castlereagh

11 April 2016: Liverpool

26 April 2016: Campbelltown

2 May 2016: Barwon

9 May 2016: Wollongong

23 May 2016: Richmond

30 May 2016: Shoalhaven

13 June 2016: Tweed/Byron

20 June 2016: The Hume

4 July 2016: Coffs/Clarence

13 July 2016: Albury

18 July 2016: Mid North Coast

1 August 2016: Wagga Wagga

8 August 2016: Oxley

22 August 2016: Griffith

29 August 2016: Newcastle City

12 September 2016: Canobolas

19 September 2016: Blacktown

A Learner driver has been charged after he allegedly lead police in a vehicle pursuit.

A man will appear in court today after allegedly being caught driving whilst disqualified three times in three hours in the state’s south-west.

About 6.35pm yesterday (Saturday 10 July 2016), police from the Gundagai Highway Patrol were conducting speed checks along the Hume Highway at Mundarlo, 35 km west of Gundagai.

Police allegedly detected a silver Mitsubishi sedan travelling northbound at a speed of 168km/h in a 110 km/h zone.

They stopped the car and issued the driver, a 21-year-old man from Victoria, with a Field Court Attendance Notice for exceed speed limit over 45km/h, drive whilst disqualified, and drive unregistered vehicle and to appear at Tumut Local Court on Wednesday 14 September 2016.

About 7.25pm, police allegedly sighted the same Mitsubishi sedan on Mount Street, Gundagai. They stopped the car and the man was issued with a second Field Court Attendance Notice for drive whilst disqualified, and drive unregistered vehicle and to appear at Tumut Local Court on Wednesday 14 September 2016.

About 9.30pm, police from the Hume Highway Patrol allegedly sighted the same Mitsubishi sedan travelling northbound on the Hume Highway, Goulburn at a speed of 132 km/h in a 110km/h zone.

The vehicle was stopped and the man arrested.

He was taken to Goulburn Police Station and charged with exceed speed limit over 10 km/h, drive whilst disqualified, and drive unregistered vehicle.

The man was refused bail and will appear at Goulburn Local Court today (Monday 11 July 2016).

A CHINESE national involved in a police pursuit on the Hume Highway told officers he didn’t realise he had to pull over.

The Beijing man came to police attention while speeding at Table Top on Sunday afternoon.

The 47-year-old driver did not pull over his silver Audi, causing police to pursue the vehicle within the speed limit.

The vehicle was involved in a crash prior to being stopped on the freeway at Albury about 4.30pm.

Acting Sergeant Nick Fahy said several police vehicles had been involved in the chase.

“He was issued a court attendance notice to attend Albury Local Court for failing to obey a police direction,” he said.

“He didn’t realise he had to pull over.

“He had continued to drive south.”

The vehicle was stopped near the East Albury exit and several tow trucks attended the scene.

No-one was injured during the incident.

THIS year’s Snake Gully Cup day will be boosted by increased prizemoney.

Racing NSW have announced Gundagai’s iconic race day as one of 15 across the state to receive ‘showcase meeting’ status.

It will see the Gundagai race meeting offer a minimum of $30,000 in prizemoney per race on the day.

Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’Landys AM hopes the increase helps grow Snake Gully Cup day.

“The Showcase meetings provide excellent opportunities to focus greater attention on some of NSW’s emerging country cup meetings,” V’Landys said.

The announcement coincides with the increase in country prizemoney to $20,000 per race for all country TAB meetings.

A boy missing from Wagga Wagga has been located safe and well.

The 11-year-old boy was reported missing about 4.30pm today (Tuesday 5 July 2016).

Officers from Wagga Wagga Local Area Command were contacted and commenced searching for him.

About 7pm, the boy was located in Wagga Wagga safe and well.

Police thank the media and public for their assistance.

Police are seeking community assistance to help locate a boy who went missing from Wagga Wagga today.

Dallas Luck, aged 11, was reported missing about 4.30pm today (Tuesday 5 July 2016).

He was last seen this morning in the Ashmont area.

Officers from Wagga Wagga Local Area Command were contacted and commenced inquiries.

Police and family hold concerns for his welfare.

Dallas is described as being of Caucasian appearance, with brown hair and brown eyes.

He was last seen wearing dark blue jeans and a black and blue hooded jumper.

Anyone with information on the boy’s whereabouts is urged to contact Wagga Wagga Police Station or Crime Stoppers.

Police have charged a man with several drug offences after four kilograms of ice was seized in the State’s Southern Tablelands as part of the CATCH program.

Just before 2am this morning (Monday 4 July 2016), officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol detected a white Honda Accord travelling above the sign posted limit along the Hume Highway, Goulburn.

Police spoke to a 21-year-old man and a 22-year-old man before conducting a search of the vehicle and allegedly locating four kilograms of ‘ice’ and $3700 in cash.

Detectives attached to The Hume Local Area Command attended the location and commenced an investigation.

Detective Inspector Chad Gillies from The Hume Local Area Command said this was another example of the close working relationship between the local command and Traffic and Highway Patrol.

“The teamwork between the two units has resulted in a significant amount of drugs to be taken off the street.”

“Our detectives are currently investigating this incident and keen to hear from anyone that may have information relating to our ongoing investigation,” Inspector Gillies said.

Assistant Commissioner John Hartley of the state’s Traffic and Highway Patrol Command said the arrest was proof that CATCH training continues to rid ICE and other drugs off our roads.

“Those that use our highways to commit crime can expect this sort of a response from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command officers by way of intercept, search and arrest, and local detectives in subsequent investigation and prosecution.”

“Since the inception of the CATCH program, over $110 million dollars worth of drugs, guns, cash, stolen goods, and other contraband has been taken off our roads,” Assistant Commissioner Hartley said.

A 22-year-old man was arrested and taken to Goulburn Police Station where he was charged with possess prohibited drug, supply prohibited drug commercial quantity and goods in custody.

He was bail refused to appear at Goulburn Local Court today (Monday 4 July 2016).

The 21-year-old man is currently assisting police with their inquiries.

Gundagai Council has been successful in receiving a portion of the $50 million offered under the NSW Government Fixing Country Roads Funding.

Announced recently by Member for Cootamundra Katrina Hodgkinson, the former Cootamundra Shire Council (now Gundagai Council) applied for and was successful in obtaining $720,000 towards the reconstruction of Gundagai Road/Cowcumbla Street.

Gundagai Council interim general manager Ken Trethewey said the Fixing Country Roads funding is vital to allow necessary road upgrades to connect regional roads with state highways and key freight hubs such as silos and saleyards.
Administrator Christine Ferguson said it was pleasing to note Gundagai Council would also receive a portion of the REROC Regional Bridge Assessments Project of $208,175 allowing the assessment of the strength of three bridges in the Gundagai area.

This funding comes under Round Two of the program and is part of a $500 million commitment for Fixing Country Roads from Rebuilding NSW, with funding to be progressively made available by the NSW Government.

This follows Cootamundra and Gundagai communities both being successful in obtaining funding under Round One.
In Cootamundra, Round One funding went towards the reconstruction of Suttons Lane while Gundagai area funding was directed to the Gobarralong Bridge.

Buoyed by the success of recent fundraising activities, the Australian Road Transport Heritage Centre (ARTHC) plans to open a truck museum in a temporary home at Gundagai, New South Wales, this month.

ARTHC Chairperson Kerry Campbell and his team are assembling a collection of historic trucks and exhibits in a shed at the corner of Tor Street and Jack Moses Avenue, North Gundagai.

The ARTHC has over 100 members and the museum will be staffed by volunteers.

Treasurer Jim Morton says the ARTHC will open the doors of the museum’s temporary home when electricity is connected. An announcement will be made on the museum’s website, arthc.com.au

But Jim says the ARTHC remains determined to build a permanent museum at Middle Street, Gundagai. The committee will continue to raise funds and apply for grants for the $1.5million project.

The ARTHC raised $30,000 with events held at Gundagai over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.

A highlight was Sylvia’s Gap Road Run on June 12 which attracted 76 trucks. They travelled a section of the old Hume Highway which is now on private property. Landowners opened their gates, allowing trucks to travel through Sylvia’s Cutting and over Hannah’s Pinch.

The weekend began with the inaugural Gundagai Truck Show on Saturday, June 11. Scott Menz of Wagga Wagga won People’s Choice with his 1988 Kenworth T650. Paul Eccleston won the Vintage Choice section with a 1953 International AR130.

After the truck show, 217 people attended a Hume Highway Reunion Dinner and auction.

Last week the ARTHC accepted a donation of $2780 which was raised by an auction at the Finemore Livestock Transport drivers’ recent reunion at Wagga Wagga.

To donate to the ARTHC’s proposed truck museum, or to become a member of the ARTHC, phone Jim on 0408 441 495 or Daryl Weston on 0427 756 983.