SOMERVILLE Highway Patrol’s drug-driving Operation Nemesis on Friday and Saturday nights, 20-21 July, detected three drink-drivers, one refuse breath test, nine drug-drivers, four refuse drug tests and six unlicensed, suspended or disqualified drivers. Four people with outstanding warrants were arrested and one who was wanted on a Whereabouts list was found.
Police in one unit working in the operation watched on as man drove into a Seaford Road, Seaford, service station and met another man, 7.40pm. The driver then moved over into the passenger seat and the second man got behind the wheel.
Police stopped the car further along Seaford Road. They found that the initial driver, a Somerville man, 38, did not have a licence. He allegedly tested positive for alcohol and drugs, but refused further tests. He will appear in court at a later date facing a licence disqualification of at least two years, as well as a fine and possible jail time. He also faces charges over an outstanding warrant.
The Frankston North man who took over the wheel, 35, was on a zero-alcohol driving condition. He blew 0.22 per cent and tested positive for methyl-amphetamines. His licence was immediately suspended for six months.
The same police unit clocked a motorcyclist riding at 170kph in a 60kph zone along Boundary Road, Carrum Downs, and pursued a car displaying false plates allegedly doing 165kph on Peninsula Link.
Operation Nemesis will run regularly on Mornington Peninsula roads in an ongoing effort targeting drug driving, police said.
First published in the Mornington News – 31 July 2018
