Police from The Hume Local Area Command (LAC) have thanked the community for their ongoing support during the recent ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign.
The Commonwealth-funded campaign is currently being conducted in States and Territories across Australia.
While members of the public are urged to report any prohibited-drug activity via Crime Stoppers; ‘Dob in a Dealer’ is targeting the manufacture, supply and use of ‘ice’ (crystal methylamphetamine) in the community.
‘Dob in a Dealer’ was promoted across The Hume Local Area Command between Monday 20 June 2016 and Sunday 3 July 2016.
Police and Crime Stoppers conducted intensive community-engagement activities at locations across the command, encouraging members of the public to report information about prohibited drugs.
During the two weeks of the campaign, Crime Stoppers received a number of Information Reports from the community relating to possible drug activity in the local area.
The Hume Local Area Commander, Acting Superintendent Andrew Koutsoufis, thanked the community for getting behind the ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign.
“We received a number of Information Reports via Crime Stoppers about suspected drug activity in our command, which will now be the subject of further police inquiries,” A/Supt Koutsoufis said.
“It was great to see a positive response from the public over the course of the campaign. We know that stemming the scourge of illicit drugs is a whole-of-community issue and we need to work together to tackle this problem effectively.
“Recently, The Hume LAC arrested almost 50 people, over a week-long period during Strike Force Trinculo, who police will allege were involved in the supply of ‘ice’ in the Southern Highlands,” A/Supt Koutsoufis said.
“Large amounts of cash, prohibited drugs and stolen property were also seized during the operation after a number of search warrants were executed across the region.
“I can assure the community that we will continue to target drug crime and if you are manufacturing or dealing drugs in the local area – you will be caught and dealt with accordingly,” A/Supt Koutsoufis said.
“I’d also like to remind the community to familiarise themselves with the signs of a drug house; things like blacked out windows, diverted electricity and vehicles coming and going at odd hours often indicate the property may be being used for illegal drug manufacturing,” A/Supt Koutsoufis said.
“Never forget the important role you can play in helping us track down and arrest those involved in manufacturing and distributing ‘ice’ across our neighbourhoods – your phone call could make an enormous difference.”
Crime Stoppers NSW CEO, Peter Price, said people who live and work within The Hume Local Area Command can still report information confidentially and anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppers.com.au.
“While the campaign has come to a close in The Hume LAC, the issue of illegal drugs has not – and we urge the community to continue reporting drug-dealing or drug-manufacturing activity to Crime Stoppers,” Mr Price said.
“We’re calling on members of the public to step up and stamp out ‘ice’ in their community – together we can affect real change.
“Calls made to Crime Stoppers are directed to a state-wide call centre and they’re completely confidential. You do not have to identify yourself and you will not be compelled to participate for a court case,” Mr Price said.
“Most importantly, every piece of information you provide can help solve crimes and reduce drug supply – so if you know something, say something.”
In NSW, the ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign is being held in 21 metropolitan and regional local area commands over a six-month period between March and September 2016.
The campaign runs in each command for two weeks, during which local officers and Crime Stoppers representatives host a number of activities to inform local residents of how they can take part and show their support.