Aussie cops gain drug search powers
In New South Wales, Australia, police will be given more power to stop and
search vehicles entering the state under a 12-month anti-drug smuggling
trial, Police Minister Michael Costa says. � News.com.au
Drug search powers boosted
By Jim Hanna
January 17, 2003
NSW Police would be given more power to stop and search vehicles entering
the state under a 12-month anti-drug smuggling trial, Police Minister
Michael Costa said today.
Civil liberties groups said the beefed up roadblock powers were another
step towards the creation of a police state.
But Mr Costa said the move was designed to clear up concerns about the
legality of past drug searches based on intelligence that the Sturt Highway
was being used to smuggle in drugs and other contraband.
"We have had some questions raised in some cases before the courts (about)
whether police have grounds for reasonable suspicion when they undertake
these searches," Mr Costa told reporters.
"What we'll have now is a process in place where there will be no doubt
that reasonable suspicion has been obtained." END.
Background...'Costa's blues.'
