6th February 2024
Victorian Legislative Council, Melbourne
To ask the Minister for Corrections (for the Minister for Police):
In relation to Frankston Station and police operations:
(1) In the three day police operation, between 9 and 11 January 2024, how many people were —
(a) found to be in possession of illicit drugs;
(b) found to be in possession of cannabis;
(c) issued a diversion for a drug offence;
(d) issued a caution for a drug offence; and
(e) found to be a medicinal cannabis patient.
(2) In the sniffer-dog operation in September 2023, how many people were —
(a) found to be in possession of illicit drugs;
(b) found to be in possession of cannabis;
(c) issued a diversion for a drug offence;
(d) issued a caution for a drug offence; and
(e) found to be a medicinal cannabis patient.
(3) On what basis do Victoria Police target this station for operations of this kind over other train stations in the South-Eastern Metropolitan Region.
Response Received 22 April 2024
Hon. Anthony Carbines
Minister for Police, Minister for Crime Prevention, Minister for Racing:
Victoria Police has advised that operations conducted on the public transport network aim to address community needs including perceptions of community safety. The locations of police operations are based upon contemporary intelligence to target criminal offending, public order issues and maintain public transport user safety.
There were no police operations conducted at Frankston Railway Station on either 9 or 11 January 2024. I can confirm the Transit Safety Division conducted Operation Pentagon at Frankston Railway Station on 10 January 2024 only. During Operation Pentagon there were no drug involvements identified.
I am also informed there were no Passive Alert Dog (PAD) operations conducted at Frankston Railway Station during the month of September 2023.
[ENDS]
