Far North Police have disrupted 69 drink drivers and 35 drug drivers across Cairns and the Tablelands as part of Operation Yankee Surplus.
Operation Yankee Surplus was launched in May 2026 to target dangerous driving behaviours and offenders moving throughout the community.
The high-visibility operation is designed to reduce road trauma and disrupt stolen vehicles and other criminal activity.
Officers from General Duties, Highway Patrol, Property Crime Unit, Criminal Investigation Branch, State Flying Squad, Tactical Crime Squad, Dog Squad, Intel and the Vulnerable Persons Unit were deployed to static sites across the region, to conduct roadside breath and drug tests and vehicle searches.
During multiple static site activations between 24 and 25 July in Kuranda and Cairns, 60 people were located and charged with 88 offences including unlawful use of a motor vehicle, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, stealing, fraud, assault and other offences.
8675 roadside breath tests (RBTs) were conducted, and 200 traffic infringement notices (TINs) were issued.
Compliance officers from Transport and Main Roads also conducted vehicle compliance activities, intercepting 68 vehicles and identifying 43 defects.
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) officers were also in attendance, enforcing fisheries and boating safety laws through surveillance and inspection of vehicles and vessels.
Far North District Chief Superintendent Kevin Fitzgibbon said the number of people found drink or drug driving was extremely concerning.
“I cannot fathom what would possess someone to get behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and put themselves and others at risk,” Chief Superintendent Fitzgibbon said.
“These static sites are not about inconveniencing the public, they help us reduce road trauma and prevent fatal crashes, of which the Far North has seen too many this year.
“The range of charges also highlights how this operation helps us disrupt criminal activity and stolen vehicles and put offenders before court.”
Operation Yankee Surplus will continue throughout the Far North.
