Australian Maritime Safety Authority conducts crackdown on fishermen taking drugs

aust-marine-safety-authThe Australian Maritime Safety Authority is undertaking a major campaign across Far North Queensland targeting fishing fleets under the influence of drugs. Five men have already been charged after Cairns Water Police conducted a joint agency patrol in remote northern waters. Water police travelled 800km over an extensive eight day operation from Cairns to Cape Grenville. The search began on the 20th September this year, targeting vessels that were operating under the influence of drugs. Sergeant Andrew Ibell said the amount of fishermen with drugs in their system was alarming and correlated with marine incidents over the last few years. In total 37 boats were intercepted and five skippers tested positive to having drugs in their system. It is alleged a combination of methamphetamine and cannabis was detected within the operators,’ Mr Ibell said. Read the rest here 19:51

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