The number of people caught using or possessing amphetamines in Wellington has remained relatively stable but it is still almost five times the state average.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
There were 21 incidents in the 12 months to March 2018, up from 19 the previous year, according to Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research data.
Across NSW, there were 9112 incidents involving amphetamine use, including ice, a drop of 7.3 per cent compared to the previous 12 months.
Within the entire Dubbo Regional Council area, there were 92 arrests made for the offence.
READ MORE: Region’s crime above NSW average
At Wellington, there were also 31 incidents of cannabis usage, an increase of nine from the previous 12 months. Twp people were caught for possessing narcotics and and three for other drugs.
Dubbo MP Troy Grant said the statistics relating to drug possession remained a concern, however, he said the NSW government’s targeted plan to stamp out drugs and support affected communities was working.
“Evidently crime trends vary throughout NSW, and thanks to the re-engineering of the NSW Police Force, police districts and area commands now have greater agility and flexibility to proactively target and disrupt specific crime types,” Mr Grant said.
While 13 arrests were made for dealing or trafficking amphetamines at Wellington in the year to March 2017, there were no arrests made in the following 12 months.
One offence was recording for dealing or trafficking cannabis.
Across the DRC, a total of nine arrests were made for dealing or trafficking amphetamines, down from 24 the previous year. Statewide there was also a drop, from 2206 incidents to 1633 to March 2018.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said police will continue to target organised crime networks responsible for the distribution of illicit substances through regular drug operations, including the use of drug dogs.
“Our focus is community safety and we won’t tolerate behaviour that risks the wellbeing of others.”
As part of the re-engineering process, the NSW Police announced several specialist units including five new Regional Enforcement Squads.
The RES units are comprised of specially-trained police tasked to disrupt drug supply and target gun crime, as part NSW Police Force’s commitment to providing specialist resources to regional areas.