New police power to crack down on drug crime

Last published on 19 Nov 2020 

The NSW Government has today passed the Drug Supply Prohibition Order Pilot Scheme Bill 2020 which will give police new powers to search convicted drug dealers and manufacturers as well as their properties to prevent drug supply and keep our communities safe.

The Bill delivers on this Government’s election commitment for a two-year pilot of a Drug Supply Prohibition Order (DSPO) scheme. It will be piloted in Bankstown Police Area Command, and the Orana Mid-West, Hunter Valley and Coffs/Clarence Police Districts.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott today announced that the Drug Supply Prohibition Orders will help the NSW Police thwart organised criminal gangs from profiteering through the large-scale manufacture and supply of illegal drugs in NSW.

“The NSW Government is committed to community safety, and I want convicted drug dealers and organised criminal networks who target the most vulnerable in our State to know that they have nowhere to hide if they are dealing drugs,” Mr Elliott said.

“The new DSPO scheme, coupled with the 1,500 additional police that this Government is delivering, will ensure our police have the resources and powers they need to prevent, detect and combat drug crime across our communities.”

A court issued DSPO will give police the power to search the homes, vehicles and person of convicted drug dealers at any time without multiple court warrants, if police have reasonable grounds to suspect that there is evidence of drug-related crime.

NSW Police Force State Crime Commander, Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith, said police need a well-stocked toolbox to combat the scourge of drug crime.

“If you are a convicted drug dealer and continue to supply or manufacture drugs, we will now be able to stop you in your vehicle or drop by your home – you will be under more scrutiny,” Assistant Commissioner Smith said.

“Often police will have an idea of where these illegal drugs are coming from, these new powers will help us swiftly shut down the supply networks.”

An application for an order may be made in relation to any person convicted of a serious drug offence, such as supply or manufacture of an indictable quantity, in the past ten years.

The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research will conduct an evaluation at the conclusion of the pilot.