DRUGS BLITZ TARGETS NIMBIN

THREE separate authorities have joined forces to target the
self-proclaimed marijuana capital of Australia, the small northern NSW
village of Nimbin, in a two-day operation against lawbreakers.

Up to 50 NSW police together with Immigration Department officials and
RTA officers swooped on Nimbin last week in a highly unusual raid that
resulted in 11 drug charges.

Police set up roadblocks at the three main entrances into town while
two sniffer dogs were taken through the main shopping strip of Cullen
St.

Simmering tensions between cannabis-smoking locals and police erupted
during the two-day blitz, with local drug-legalisation groups
describing it as a "military-style raid".

The Cannabis Coalition - a recently formed group seeking to field
candidates for the upcoming state election - claimed Nimbin was "under
attack" by police officers and their sniffer dogs.

"For a town of some 300 people, it's quite ridiculous to have them all
up here," said Macciza Macpherson, a spokesman for the Cannabis
Coalition. "There are usually just eight or nine police stationed in
Nimbin."

Police confirmed they were in Nimbin on Friday and yesterday targeting
illegal drugs as part of a joint operation with the RTA and
Immigration Department.

A police spokeswoman said breath tests were conducted on all drivers
and all vehicles stopped were checked for drugs. The RTA was
performing vehicle checks while immigration checks were also carried
out.

Police said 10 people were charged with drug possession, one with drug
supply and 18 others were cautioned for having small amounts of cannabis.

An Immigration Department spokeswoman said immigration officers were
present only to assist police.

"Our officers were there in the event that anyone had a visa status
which needed to be investigated," the spokeswoman said.

The spokeswoman said no persons were detained for having an expired
visa.

Outspoken Nimbin resident Michael Balderstone, president of the
Australian Hemp Party, said police officers stopped anyone who looked
"alternative".

"They set up tents - it's like a full-on camp-out," Mr Balderstone
said. "Anyone who looks a bit different, looks like a hippie, or is
Aboriginal, or drives an old car, is being pulled over. It's extremely
aggressive and they're being very rude to the locals."

Mr Balderstone said he believed a new police command recently
appointed to the region was keen to make a mark.

"Every new one thinks it's their job to clean up Nimbin," he
said.

Tensions between locals and police had begun to rise in Nimbin
following a recent drug arrest.

About 30 people gathered in front of Nimbin police station on Cullen
St on February 10 demanding answers after the man was arrested.