The Police Transport Command were out in force across Sydney’s public transport network, targeting anti-social behaviour in proactive operations.
Operation Invertice saw officers from the Police Transport Command deployed across the Mt Druitt, Blacktown, Rooty Hill, St Marys and Doonside areas, targeting anti-social behaviour, violence and weapons offences.
The high-visibility operation, which included assistance from the Youth Command, Dog and Mounted Command and the Aviation Support Branch, was conducted between Thursday (2 July 2020) until Saturday (4 July 2020).
During the third phase of the operation, officers arrested 22 people for 26 offences, including affray, supply prohibited drugs, possessing a knife, shoplifting, and goods in custody suspected of being stolen. A total of 53 infringement notices were issued.
Incidents of note include:
- About 6.10pm on Friday (3 July 2020), officers were travelling on the Great Western Highway at Minchinbury when they stopped a Nissan Skyline sedan over his manner of driving. After speaking with the driver, a 50-year-old man, police located methylamphetamine. Further inquiries revealed the man’s licence was expired. He was arrested and taken to Mt Druitt Police Station, where he was charged with supply prohibited drug, and licence expired 2 years or more before. The Quakers Hill man was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Mt Druitt Local Court on Wednesday 12 August 2020.
- A 51-year-old man was arrested on Sackville Street, Lalor Park, after methylamphetamine and two iPods believed to have been stolen were seized during a vehicle stop just after 6pm on Saturday (4 July 2020). He was taken to Blacktown Police Station, where he was charged with supply prohibited drug and goods in custody suspected of being stolen. The man was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Local Court yesterday (Sunday 5 July 2020), where he was formally granted bail to next appear before Blacktown Local Court on Thursday 3 September 2020.
So far during Operation Invertice, a total of 59 people have been arrested for more than 80 offences. The operation is due to be conducted this weekend.
Across the greater transport network – including across Sydney’s CBD and south-west – officers were also proactively patrolling under Operation Colossus.
This high-visibility operation, which aims to improve public safety and target any anti-social behaviour, was conducted Friday (3 July 2020) and Saturday (4 July 2020).
During Operation Colossus, a total of 47 people were arrested for more than 40 offences; including assault, possession of prohibited drugs, resist arrest, custody of a knife in a public place, and breach of bail. A total of 218 infringement notices were issued.
Incidents of note during Operation Colossus:
- About 4pm on Friday (3 July 2020), officers stopped a Hyundai i30 on Chiswick Street in South Granville after the driver was seen allegedly using his mobile phone. Officers spoke to the occupants before conducting a search of the vehicle. Police located and seized cocaine, along with a quantity of buphrenorphine and cash. The men, aged 42 and 38, were arrested and taken to Granville Police Station. The 42-year-old was charged with take part supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), take part supply prohibited drug (buphrenorphine), two counts of possess prohibited drug, possess suspected proceeds, goods in custody, drive whilst suspended, and drive whilst using mobile phone. He was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Local Court on Saturday (4 July 2020), where he was formally refused bail to appear before the same court today (Monday 6 July 2020). The passenger was charged with take part supply prohibited drug (x2), possess suspected proceeds, and goods in custody. He was refused bail and appeared before Parramatta Local Court on Saturday (4 July 2020), where he was formally granted bail to next appear before the same court on Wednesday 12 August 2020.
- Just before midnight on Friday (3 July 2020), officers were patrolling Pier Street, Sydney, when observed a Toyota Corolla made a hard turn onto Darling Drive without indicating. The vehicle was stopped, and officers spoke with the driver, a 43-year-old man, before they located several bags of heroin, methylamphetamine and cocaine, as well as $1140 cash. These items were seized to undergo forensic examination. The woman was arrested and taken to Day Street Police Station, where she was charged with Supply prohibited drug, and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime. The woman was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday 12 August 2020.
The Police Transport Command plan to undertake further operations in the near future.
Anyone with information about anti-social behaviour on the public transport network is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
