Dealers put on notice in St George
DRUG dealers can expect a knock on the door soon, as police warn their Dob In A Dealer campaign is yielding results.
Intelligence from the program, which encourages residents to give police anonymous tip offs about potential drug dealers, resulted in St George police raiding homes and charging four more people with drug offences last week.
St George police Senior Sergeant Dan Gallagher said more drug dealers peddling methamphetamine in the community can expect a visit by police.
"The increase in information has enabled us to continue to piece together the very large puzzle that is drug activity in St George," Snr Sgt Gallagher said.
"No matter how small or seemingly insignificant the information might seem to be, it could be the missing piece of the puzzle we need.
"We have plans to conduct more warrants, we're receiving intelligence on a very regular basis which enables us to move forward to disrupt these offenders."
He urged the community to join local police in the fight to release the strangle-grip the drug meth, or commonly known as ice, had on the region.
"They call it the non-discriminatory drug of choice," Snr Sgt Gallagher said.
"We're finding we've laid charges against people in conjunction with this drug who come from the low socio-economic part of our community, as well as people who are wealthier.
"It's a highly addictive drug, it's expensive, it ruins families, businesses and lives, and we want it to stop."
In addition to charges of drug possession, supply, and trafficking, police say a trade of stolen property is often fuelling the addiction.
"Generally you will find drugs go hand-in-hand with property offences," he said.
"There may also be theft of property for people to be able to continue to successfully traffic drugs, like stolen number plates and vehicles."
Snr Sgt Gallagher said it was important the community understood the process police have to follow when acting on a tip off.
"Some people expect action straight away, but we want them to know, we have to look at and verify the information, which in turn makes up the bigger picture," he said.
"Legislation surrounding drug intelligence means that information remains confidential."
Join the fight and call Crime Stoppers on 1800333000.