More than 20 people have been arrested during an operation involving four local area commands in the Hunter region.

Operation Quad LAC ran over past two weekends (June 27 and 28 2015, and July 3 and 4 2015).

During the operation, four commands – Lake Macquarie, Newcastle City, Port Stephens and Central Hunter – shared intelligence and resources to conduct targeted, high-visibility patrols.

Specifically, Operation Quad LAC:

– Targeted offenders and known locations;

– Targeted offenders with outstanding warrants and court attendance notices;

– Conducted compliance checks on offenders with current bail conditions; and

– Performed mobile random breath testing.

A total of 23 people were arrested during the operation. They have been charged for offences ranging from drug possession and supply to steal motor vehicle, resist police, malicious damage, and possession of a knife in a public place.

In one incident, police attached to Operation Quad LAC detected a Holden Barina allegedly exceeding the speed limit on Maitland Road at Mayfield about 12.15am on Monday 29 June 2015.

Following two pursuits with police, the driver – a 25-year-old man – stopped the car in Newcastle East and ran into Newcastle Harbour.

Police negotiators engaged with the man for several hours, before he emerged from the water shortly after 6am. He has been charged with a number of traffic offences.

Other results from Operation Quad LAC include:

– Approximately 250 random breath tests conducted, with three drink-driving offences detected;

– 25 intelligence reports gathered;

– 110 people searched;

– 40 vehicles searched;

– 21 drug detections;

– 20 move-on directions given;

– Nine infringement notices issued.