A VICTORIAN man is behind bars charged with drug supply after police discovered more than 14kg of what they allege is cannabis in a massive traffic blitz.
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Highway patrol officers together with Barwon, New England and Queensland police as well as the dog unit joined forces as part of Operation Northmore – a blitz targeting heavy vehicles in and around Boggabilla and the Queensland border.
New England officers stopped a rental van in Merriwa St on Sunday morning.
After questioning the 29-year-old driver, officers searched the vehicle and discovered more than 14 kilograms of what they allege to be cannabis in vacuum sealed bags under a row of seats.
Vinh Hoang was arrested and charged with supplying prohibited drugs.
He appeared in Moree Local Court and has been refused bail to reappear in June.
As part of the three-day blitz, police charged two drivers with drink-driving and 16 drivers returned a roadside reading to drugs.
In total, 384 trucks and heavy vehicles were intercepted and officers downloaded the data from 120 speed limiters.
Seven were found to have been tampered with or were non-compliant, and more than 120 fines were issued for various offences.
“In addition to targeting dangerous drivers, our officers will continue to target those who are using our roads to transport drugs,” NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said.
He said operations targeting drivers across the Western Region would continue because more than 20 people had been killed on country roads in the region since the start of the year.
“We will continue to target heavy vehicles and dangerous drivers in the area to ensure the safety of all road users,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
“Our dedicated officers who have undertaken CATCH training continue to deliver results for the community in removing drugs off our streets.”