Party-bus operator fined for COVID breach in Sydney City

A party-bus operator has been fined for allegedly breaching COVID-19 restrictions overnight in the Sydney CBD.

Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were contacted about 11.15pm (Saturday 15 August 2020), due to concerns about the way a bus was being driven along Wheat Road.

Police stopped the bus, which had been driven from Penrith to the city, and found 43 people were on board.

Officers spoke with the operator, a 25-year-old Colyton man, due to concerns about the number of people on the bus, as well as several underage people allegedly being intoxicated.

A drug dog was brought to the scene and a 17-year-old female was arrested after allegedly found with cocaine. She will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.

The bus operator has been issued a $5000 Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) for failing to comply with a ministerial direction on Public Health Order.

Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au Information is treated in strict confidence.

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