By JOLENE OGLE
THE devastating drug ice has made its way to Noosa Shire, with both Cooroy and Noosa Heads police confirming an increase in people caught with the drug in the past month.
Highly addictive and prone to cause aggressive outbursts in users, ice is a damaging drug known to tear apart families and communities, and Noosa is not immune from its devastating effects.
Noosa Heads officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Steve McReight said he and his team were discovering more people with ice than before.
“We suspected ice was coming into the area as we are seeing more and more break and enters that we believe are fuelled by a need to feed the habit,” he said.
“And through raids of homes, we are finding more ice.”
Sen Sgt McReight said more drivers were caught driving with drugs in their system, although they would often admit to smoking marijuana but deny taking ice before driving.
“Which is interesting, as the results from the lab tests are showing both marijuana and methylamphetamine (ice) in the samples taken from the drivers,” he said.
“The feedback I’m receiving from the crews on the ground is people are not admitting to smoking ice.”
Sen Sgt McReight said ice was becoming more common in Noosa. As early as Monday afternoon, a Tewantin woman was arrested by Noosa Heads police after she tried to flee when the police pulled her over.
Police will allege the woman dumped her car at the Tewantin caravan park and ran into the surrounding woods but the Noosa Heads police called in the dog squad who, with the help of two community members, were able to track her.
The woman was arrested and charged with four offences including possession of ice and was taken to Nambour hospital for blood tests.
In his monthly report to Cooroy businesses, Sergeant Mal Scott of Cooroy police said quantities of ice had been located throughout the Cooroy area.
“Police are very keen to stop the spread of this very dangerous and highly addictive drug,” he said.
Sgt Scott is calling for any information from the community that could help prevent the spread of ice throughout Cooroy.
“Any information in regards to the use and or supply of this drug would be very much appreciated,” he said.
Sgt Scott’s comments come after a number of raids on Cooroy and surrounding hinterland homes resulted in 14 people charged with 29 drug-related charges.
People who may have information can phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
