Nimbin Mardigrass: 21 arrests on day one

Police from Operation Brewarrana have arrested 21 people on the first day of the annual Mardigrass festival in Nimbin.

Officers from Northern Region – including general duties, OSG (Operational Support Group), Highway Patrol, and Detectives – have been joined by police from Sydney-based units, including the Dog Unit, the Mounted Police and the Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS), to patrol the Nimbin township and surrounds for the three-day festival.

Twenty-one people were arrested today in Nimbin and nearby localities, mostly for drug offences.

During today’s operations police seized cannabis as well as amphetamines and ecstasy.

Police say they have have maintained a high profile in the township with regular patrols on foot as well as stationary RBT testing and a drug-dog operations throughout the day and continuing overnight.

The Drug Dog operation resulted in the arrest of 13 people.

Of those nine cannabis cautions were issued, three people were issued with a field court attendance notice, and one person was charged with a PCA offence.

In the Nimbin township today there were six arrests for possession of a prohibited drug and one person was charged with goods in custody.

A 41-year-old woman from Tuntalble Falls was charged with two counts of supply a prohibited drug, and one count of deal with the proceeds of crime.

She was granted bail to appear in Lismore Local Court later this month.

Police are investigating a serious assault with a 22-year-old woman suffering actual bodily harm. A man is assisting police with their inquiries.

Richmond Local Area Commander, Superintendent Bruce Lyons, is happy with the crowd behaviour so far.

“The general behaviour of the community has been positive despite the severe inconvenience experienced following the tragic fatal crash south of Nimbin this afternoon which blocked the main route into the town for several hours,” he said.

“We thank the community and local volunteers their assistance and patience following this traumatic event.”

In results from operations, a 51-year-old man was charged with possession of a prohibited drug and possession of prohibited weapons.

Police will allege he had martial arts weaponry including nunchakus and sickles in his possession.

A 48-year-old man was charged with supply a prohibited drug after being arrested in Cullen Street yesterday.

The man was granted conditional bail and is due to appear in Lismore Local Court on 26 May 2008.

A 46-year-old Queensland man was issued with a cannabis caution for possession of cannabis, and a 31-year-old woman was charged with offensive behaviour following an altercation in Cullen Street

Police issued numerous cautions for breaches of the alcohol-free zone with two alcohol consumption infringement notices issued.

The operation will continue until Monday.

 

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