NSW Police Conduct Hunter Expressway Pursuit Arrest and South Coast Drug‑Testing Blitz

A 39‑year‑old man was charged after a high‑speed police pursuit on the Hunter Expressway near Branxton on July 15. The driver, suspected of operating a stolen vehicle at 178 km/h in a 110 km/h zone, failed to stop, collided with another car and fled into bushland. He was apprehended by the Dog Unit and faces five offences, including dangerous driving and vehicle theft.

Separately, a five‑day road‑safety operation, called Operation Spoiler, was carried out on New South Wales’ South Coast from July 6‑10. Police conducted 255 roadside drug tests, resulting in 57 drivers testing positive for substances such as cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine and multiple drugs. The blitz also led to 44 licence‑related arrests and six drink‑driving charges, alongside numerous infringement notices.

Both actions were part of a broader effort by NSW Traffic and Highway Patrol to curb unsafe driving and drug‑related offences on state roads.