A MAN will appear before Wollongong Local Court after he was stopped by police earlier this month at Fairy Meadow as part of Operation Fume, a high visibility road operation targeting alcohol and drug driving.

Officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol stopped a vehicle on Lysaght Street about 11.45pm on Friday March 8 2024.

A 40-year-old man from Unanderra was subjected to a roadside breath and drug test, returning a positive result for drugs. Following a search of the vehicle, police seized an extendable baton. He was arrested and taken to Wollongong Police Station. He was charged with possessing a prohibited weapon. He was granted conditional bail to appear before Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday March 26.

Operation Fume ran from Thursday March 7 until Friday March 8 2024 across the Wollongong, Lake Illawarra and South Coast Police Districts.

The high-visibility operation involved officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command for the Illawarra and Far South sectors.

Police issued 55 traffic infringements, 21 speeding infringements, and charged 32 people for traffic offences: including drink and drug driving.

Police conducted 776 random breath tests and 698 random drug tests.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Illawarra Sector Inspector Michael McKechnie said it’s frustrating that those doing the wrong thing are continuing to put members of the public at risk.

“It’s disappointing that drivers continue to make poor choices that put themselves and other members of the public at risk. Police will continue to target those who drive under the influence of alcohol or with illicit drugs in their system,” Inspector McKechnie said.

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