DOB IN A DEALER
Public help wanted to curb drug scourge
THE Geelong community is being called on to help expose local drug traffickers, as Victoria Police and Crime Stoppers launch the traditionally successful ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign today.
Heroin, ice, cocaine, MDMA and cannabis dealers are being targeted by police during the campaign, which calls for community members to report anything they know about drug-dealing offences in their areas.
GEELONG’S drug traffickers are in for a tough month, as Victoria Police and Crime Stoppers launch the traditionally successful ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign today.
Heroin, ice, cocaine, MDMA and cannabis dealers are being targeted by police during the campaign, which calls for community members to report anything they know about drug-dealing offences in their areas.
Victoria Police Division One Western Region Inspector Paul Edebone said the last ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign in 2016 saw reports almost quadruple in the region.
“As a result of the campaign during that one month there was an increase of about 280 per cent in the number of information reports coming in to police,” Inspector Edebone said.
“There’s always an increase in significant arrests of traffickers as a result of this campaign.”
Inspector Edebone said drugs and drug-related issues were pervasive throughout Geelong.
“They’re there, they’ll never go away,” he said.
“It’s always going to be a part of our targeting that we target drug traffickers to try to eliminate the number of drugs on the street and within the community.
“We’re not asking you to tell on your mates, we’re asking you to support your mates, your family and your colleagues.
“You don’t have to have the complete story. Your small piece of information could be the missing piece of the puzzle.”
Ice was the most commonly trafficked drug in the 12 months to July this year, closely followed by cannabis.
Crime Statistics Agency data last month showed 164 drug dealing and trafficking offences were recorded in Geelong in the same period, with 73 offences linked to ice dealing and trafficking, and 35 offences associated with cannabis.
Ecstasy dealers racked up 13 offences while heroin was linked to 19 offences.
“We’re not asking you to tell on your mates, we’re asking you to support your mates, your family and your colleagues. You don’t have to have the complete story. Your small piece of information could be the missing piece of the puzzle.” I NSPECTOR PAUL EDEBONE