POLICE have conducted a three-day high-visibility operation focused on preventing and disrupting crime in Tamworth.

Between Thursday, April 16 and Saturday, April 18, officers attached to Oxley Police District – assisted by officers attached to Operation Soteria, Western Region Operations Support Group, Youth Command, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and the Dog Unit – saturated the Tamworth area under Operation Soteria to target and reduce crime.

As a result of the operation, police arrested and charged eight people with a total of 15 offences.

There were also four people issued with Field Court Attendances Notices.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Command performed 392 stationary random breath tests and 141 mobile random breath tests It will be alleged that three drivers returned a positive result to an illicit drug.

In addition to this, 37 traffic and speeding infringement notices were issued.

Youth Command officers also attended three community engagements with over 300 youths in attendance.

At about 9.40pm on Thursday it will be alleged police attempted to stop a motorcyclist on Ebbsworth Street, Taminda, due to the motorcyclist’s riding.

When the motorcycle failed to stop a pursuit was initiated.

With the assistance of PolAir, the motorcycle was tracked to a home on Cole Road, West Tamworth. He was arrested at the premises a short time later and taken to Tamworth Police Station.

It will be alleged the man was the holder of a suspended drives licence. He was charged with Police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously and drive, licence suspended under s 66 Fines Act.

The West Tamworth man was granted conditional bail to appear at Tamworth Local Court on Monday, May 11.

At about 11.15pm on Saturday, police stopped a motor vehicle along Kilcoy Street, Gunnedah.

It will be alleged the 25-year-old male driver was found in possession of methylamphetamine and MDMA.

Inquiries also established that his driver’s licence had been suspended since August, 2025.

A 39-year-old male passenger in the vehicle was found in possession of methylamphetamine.

It will be further alleged that located in the vehicle was a 44-gallon drum containing $700 worth of diesel.

Both men were arrested and taken to Gunnedah Police Station.

The driver was charged with drive while licence cancelled and two counts of possess prohibited drug. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Gunnedah Local Court on Tuesday, May 5.

The passenger was charged with supply prohibited drug, indictable and commercial quantity, possess prohibited drug and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen.

He was refused bail to appear at Bail Division Court 5 today.

The man was remanded in custody to appear at Tamworth Local Court tomorrow.