Police have charged eight people following a three-day high-visibility operation targeting crime around Tamworth and Gunnedah.
The operation, carried out under Operation Soteria, saw officers saturate the Tamworth area between Thursday 16 April and Saturday 18 April 2026. Police from Oxley Police District were supported by specialist units including the Western Region Operations Support Group, Youth Command, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and the Dog Unit.
Across the three days, eight people were arrested and charged with a total of 15 offences. A further four people were issued with Field Court Attendance Notices.
Traffic police conducted 392 stationary random breath tests and 141 mobile tests during the operation. Three drivers allegedly returned positive results to illicit drugs, while 37 traffic and speeding infringement notices were issued.
Youth Command officers also conducted community engagement activities, with more than 300 young people attending three events.
Police said the operation aimed to both disrupt offending and maintain a visible presence across the region.
Among the incidents, police will allege a motorcycle rider failed to stop on Ebbsworth Street, Taminda, about 9.40pm on Thursday. A pursuit was initiated, with PolAir assisting to track the motorcycle to a home on Cole Road, West Tamworth.
A man was arrested at the premises a short time later. Police will allege he was riding while his licence was suspended. He was charged with police pursuit, not stop, drive dangerously and driving while licence suspended. The West Tamworth man was granted conditional bail to appear at Tamworth Local Court on Monday 11 May.
In a separate incident, police stopped a vehicle on Kilcoy Street, Gunnedah, about 11.15pm on Saturday.
Officers will allege the 25-year-old driver was in possession of methylamphetamine and MDMA and had been driving on a suspended licence since August 2025. A 39-year-old passenger was also allegedly found in possession of methylamphetamine.
Police further allege a 44-gallon drum containing about $700 worth of diesel was located in the vehicle, which they suspect was stolen.
Both men were arrested and taken to Gunnedah Police Station. The driver was charged with driving while licence cancelled and two counts of possessing a prohibited drug. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Gunnedah Local Court on Tuesday 5 May.
The passenger was charged with supply of a prohibited drug, possession of a prohibited drug and goods in personal custody suspected of being stolen. He was refused bail and appeared before Bail Division Court on Sunday, before being remanded in custody to appear at Tamworth Local Court on Monday 20 April.
Investigations into the incidents are ongoing.
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