19 Dec 2010

135 arrests in NZ after trans-Tasman alcohol blitz

9:44 pm on 19 December 2010

A third combined operation by police officers in Australia and New Zealand aimed at preventing excess drinking, has lead to 135 arrests in New Zealand which police describe as encouraging.

Operation Unite targets troublemakers and antisocial behaviour.

The latest operation started on Friday. It includes random breath testing and additional police patrols.

In New Zealand more than 40,000 drivers were breath tested at checkpoints and by mobile patrols with less than 1% of them, 263, testing positive for excess alcohol.

Police administered 53 blood samples that could result in court action.

The highest drink driving result recorded during the blitz was in Waikato where a recidivist drink driver allegedly blew 1290mcg per litre of breath. The legal limit for drivers over 20 is 400mcg per litre of breath.

Nelson police found one 14-year-old youth driving by himself, while in Rotorua alcohol fuelled disorder resulted in five arrests.