Geraldton Port to be one of 22 search zones for tough new drug laws

Geraldton Port will be one of 22 zones where police will have expanded powers to search for illicit drugs under new laws brought in by the State Government.

The Government has described the measure as “unprecedented” and an attempt to create a “hard meth border” to prevent drug smuggling.

Some airports, ports, road and rail border crossings across WA will become permanent search areas where police will be able to stop and search people and vehicles without reasonable suspicion. They will be able to use electronic wands and drug detection dogs to do so.

Police Minister Paul Papalia said restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic showed tight border controls were an effective tool against drug smuggling. He said meth use dropped by 65 per cent in Geraldton during the pandemic.

“What we are effectively doing is creating a hard meth border,” Mr Papalia said.

“This is the latest and arguably most important tool the McGowan Government has given the WA Police Force to fight the organised crime syndicates trying to pump meth and misery into our community.”

The laws are the first of their kind in Australia. The Government has said there will be limits, checks and balances to prevent them being abused.

According to the law, the new powers given to police will be able to used only in public places and will be monitored by the Corruption and Crime Commission.