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NSW Police have charged 25 people, issued more than 280 infringements, during a high-visibility two day road traffic operation in the Southern Region.
Operation Fume ran from Friday 7 August 2026 until Saturday 8 August 2026, targeting drug and alcohol-driving offences, and general road compliance across The Hume, Lake Illawarra, Wollongong, South Coast and Monaro Police Districts.
The high-visibility operation involved officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, supported by general duties officers from the local commands.
The operation utilised mobile and stationary random breath testing, random drug testing and proactive patrols of known ‘hot spots’ within the regions.
In total, 7,146 breath tests were conducted and forty-four people were charged with drink-driving offences, while 275 roadside drug tests were conducted, with 47 drivers returning positive drug tests. The licences of all drivers returning a positive roadside drug test were suspended for 24 hours, with further action against those awaiting secondary results.
Other results include;
- 25 charges laid
- 281 infringements issued (including 102 for speeding offences)
- 17 Person and vehicle searches
22 authorised drivers detected (including unlicensed and suspended drivers)
Incidents of note include;
About 12.00am on Sunday 9 August 2026, police were patrolling south on Sydney Road, Goulburn when they detected an alleged suspended driver. Police activated their warning lights on Union Road, Goulburn and when the car failed to stop a pursuit was initiated. Officers successfully deployed road spikes on Marys Mount Road, Goulburn, slowing the car before it stopped on Grafton Road, where the driver allegedly fled on foot into bushland. A short time later, the 34-year-old man was arrested and taken to Goulburn Police Station. He was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed and drive, licence suspended under s 66 Fines Act. He was refused bail to appear in Bail Division Court 3 on Sunday 9 August, where he was formally refused bail to appear in Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday 19 August 2026.
