New Wales police have been given new powers to search convicted drug traffickers without a warrant as part of a lawsuit targeting four police districts across the state.
The powers, which came into force on Monday, will allow officers to knock on people’s doors, search any car, plane or boat they are in, or search them on the street – all without a warrant.
The pilot program will run in Bankstown, Oran in the Central West, at the Hunter Valley and Coffs Harbor Police Commands.
It took two years for the legislation to pass through parliament, and the time is not accidental after a gang war tore down southwest Sydney, raising criticism for the state’s law enforcement capabilities.
The Erebus task force, set up on Monday, has been described as a “super-task force” that helps police crack down on a wave of violent crime stemming from organized crime networks, and is likely to make the most of the new powers.
In the last eighteen months, thirteen people have fallen victim to gangster fighting across the New East.
“The message to Sydney’s underworld couldn’t be clearer – the police will be on your face more than ever, disrupting your life every second of the day,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Police Minister Paul Tull.
“These criminals are so tired of knocking on doors that they have to think of a new path, and if not, they can expect to be detained for a long time.”
Police will need to apply to obtain an order banning the supply of drugs to a person who has been convicted of a serious drug-related crime in the last ten years.
An application to ban the supply of drugs must be submitted to an authorized court against the “relevant person”.
Police should have reasonable grounds to suspect the presence of evidence of drug-related crimes.
Before applying for a ban, it must be signed by an officer of the rank of superintendent or higher for permission to apply.
https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/nsw-police-afforded-new-power-to-search-convicted-drug-dealers-without-warrant-c-6821866
