Rapid rise in drug crimes

Drug-related offences in Katanning have surged 81.3 per cent this financial year to date as police throw all their resources into curbing drug use in the community.

Police have executed 15 search warrants in the past year with success, finding and seizing amphetamines, cocaine, cannabis, illegally obtained prescription medication and drug paraphernalia.

The warrants have resulted in 58 charges so far in 2014-15, compared to 32 for 2013-14.

The charges include possession of a prohibited drug with intent to sell or supply, possession of a prohibited drug and possessing drug paraphernalia, with cases heard in the Katanning and Albany magistrates’ courts.

Katanning police Sergeant Lindsay Pankhurst said while the increase in drug offences was partly because of police efforts to catch offenders, they were also concerned more drugs were entering the town.

“We have seen a rise in the social acceptance of illicit substance abuse, not just in Katanning, but Statewide and nationally over the last few years and as a result, all jurisdictions have put more resources into effectively managing the problem,” he said.

“Katanning police are working extremely hard to rid our community of these dangerous substances.”

Sgt Pankhurst said information from the community helped police get drugs off the street and he urged the public to help them with their investigations.

Shire of Katanning president Alan McFarland said the rise in drug offences showed police efforts to target drug use and trafficking were working.

“From assaults to stealing to domestic violence, it would not surprise me if over half the amount of offences in this town have a connection directly or indirectly to drug use,” he said.

“Katanning is being used as a distribution centre as we are central to a lot of regional towns.”

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