POLICE WIN WAR IN DRUG CAPITAL

AFTER almost a year of "zero tolerance" resulting in more than 2500
charges, police have turned around the face of Australia's heroin capital
Cabramatta, the area's regional commander said yesterday.

Speaking on the eve of the fifth phase of the high-profile drug crackdown
Operation Puccini, Greater Hume regional commander Chris Evans said crime
had been driven underground with no significant displacement to other areas.

"A year ago it was horrific - there were drug deals taking place in broad
daylight and intravenous drug use in front of you," Cmdr Evans said. "This
has not been completely eliminated but it has been vastly reduced."

Thirty-eight new officers from other patrols in the Greater Hume area start
their induction at Cabramatta today to prepare for the three-month
operation.

They will be reminded of their stop-and-search powers and familiarised with
the area and any trouble spots.

Cmdr Evans said drug deals and use had become more covert.

But he said Puccini had achieved its goal of improving the quality of life
for Cabramatta's law-abiding residents.

Since the operation began last July police have worked 6500 shifts to make
almost 1500 arrests.

They have seized almost 900 drug caches - mostly in single balloons - and
have also arrested 29 people for carrying knives and issued more than 4000
railway infringement notices.

Cmdr Evans said that while there had been an increase in drug taking and
crime in areas further down the rail line at Campbelltown, police
operations had effectively mopped it up.

He said figures for March indicated crime levels had fallen across his
region and the continuing strategy of Puccini would help maintain this
trend.

Measures which have helped clean up the problem included banning offenders
from the Cabramatta CBD as part of their bail conditions.

Police have used the practice at their stations and he welcomed the support
of magistrates for the initiative.

The controversial closed-circuit television cameras set up in the area have
also been of great assistance to police in providing court evidence.

Fairfield deputy mayor Frank Oliveri said business and residential
confidence had improved as a result of the operation.

"The situation is improving and the residents and shopkeepers are happy
with the progress," Cmdr Oliveri said.