Police seized “extremely large” amounts of methamphetamine, ketamine, ecstasy and cannabis destined for Schoolies in an early morning drug bust on Monday.
The arrest occurred after police spotted the driver of a red Hyundai acting suspiciously in Lorne about 1.15am.
Geelong High Risk Youth Unit officers were patrolling Lorne when they saw the car at the intersection of Great Ocean Road and Bay St.
According to a police social media page, the car was parked on the side of the road without its lights on and two men were nearby.
“As police approached, the vehicle took off with no head lights on,” a police post stated.
“Police followed the vehicle onto Smith St, where it accelerated away.”
When police intercepted the car, a male passenger got out and fled, while the driver, a 20-year-old Anglesea man, “remained at the scene”, a police spokesperson said.
Police arrested the driver while the passenger remained on the run, the spokesperson told the Indy about 10am on Monday.
Officers searched the car finding “extremely large” amounts of methamphetamine, ketamine, ecstasy, cannabis, deal bags and a large amount of cash, police alleged.
“These drugs and cash were hidden within various locations within the vehicle in various containers,” the post read.
“Police strongly believe that the accused was trafficking drugs to young adults during this Schoolies period.”
Police interviewed the driver who was scheduled to face Geelong Magistrates’ Court on Monday afternoon.
Geelong police urged parents to maintain regular contact with their children at Schoolies to check on their welfare and warn them about drugs.
“This is a timely warning for everyone involved at Schoolies,” the police post stated.
“Police will continue to pro-actively target any person who thinks Schoolies is a place to supply and traffic illicit substances.”
Thousands of young adult school leavers flocked to Lorne and other Surf Coast towns as Schoolies began over the weekend.
Priority Communities Division Acting Commander Murray Fraser warned police would increase patrols along foreshores, around licensed venues and near accommodation to target alcohol-fuelled violence, drug offences and anti-social behaviour.
“While the majority of schoolies do the right thing, we are continuing to see a small number of school leavers involved in dangerous behaviour,” A/Cmdr Fraser said.
“We will not tolerate any behaviour that negatively impacts the community.”
Schoolies officially runs in Victoria from 23 November to 8 December.
