When Noosa Police pulled over a 32-year-old Tewantin motorist on Sunshine Beach Road because they thought he was behaving suspiciously they searched his car and located dangerous drugs and $650 in $50 counterfeit notes.
Police charged the man with drugs offences and possession of counterfeit money under the Crimes (Currency) Act 1981. He will appear in Noosa Magistrates Court on 11 August.
This incident was only one of many for Noosa Police on a very busy weekend responding to almost 100 calls and undertaking Covid-19 enforcement activities.
Police responded to 95 calls from Friday to Monday. Over the weekend they made 11 arrests for drug offences and are continuing investigations into eight assault complaints and nine domestic violence matters.
“It is believed the large influx of visitors to the area given the recent lifting of Covid-19 restrictions has played a large part as people travel to the area to enjoy a break,” Noosa senior sergeant Ben Carroll said.
Police attended multiple noise complaints and disturbances across the Noosa area over the weekend including a proposed party of youths, he said.
“Police became aware of a party that youths were planning to have at Peregian Beach on Saturday evening,” snr sgt Carroll said.
“Once organisers became aware police were planning an enforcement response the party was cancelled and hosted at a private residence in Coolum.”
On Friday afternoon police said they tasered a Noosaville man after he ran at an officer brandishing a piece of timber. He was taken into custody and conveyed to the Nambour Hospital for a mental health assessment. Police expect to charge him with serious assault upon police in due course.
Almost 300 random breath tests were conducted netting seven drink drivers.
Snr sgt Carroll said of most concern was the high blood alcohol concentrations of some of those charged.
A 35-year-old Sunshine Beach man was intercepted by police given his manner of driving in Tewantin resulting in him being charged with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .270 per cent, over five times the legal limit. A 63-year-old Noosa Heads woman was charged with a BAC of .216 per cent after being intercepted by police in a random breath test at 9am on Weyba Way, Noosa Heads. A 36-year-old Tewantin woman was charged with a BAC of .217 per cent after being intercepted on Outlook Drive, Tewantin. All are due to appear in the Noosa Magistrates Court in coming weeks.
Police also responded to ongoing complaints of hooning, particularly in the Noosa-Eumundi Road area. Police have issues 27 infringement notices in the past week as part of ongoing traffic enforcement patrols to target this issue.
In addition, police conducted Covid-19 compliance checks over the weekend at the direction of the Deputy Commissioner and in response to ongoing concerns around patrons within licensed premises not complying with the Chief Health Officer’s Directions.
“Numerous venues across Noosa were checked with all found to be complying with the current Chief Health Officer’s directions within the premises,” snr sgt Carroll said.
“Advice was provided to a couple of venues in relation to queues outside the premises with issues quickly rectified. Licenced venues are reminded to ensure patron queues are monitored by security to ensure social distancing is maintained.
“Police are cognisant of the impacts Covid-19 is having on all businesses and assure business operators our compliance regime is one of compassion, education and compliance as we all work together in response to this pandemic.”
