Intelligence led operation targets drug affected drivers
23 Feb 2026 9:01am
South Australia Police has detected 11 drug‑affected drivers and issued more than 60 enforcement actions during the first phase of Operation Bleach, an intelligence‑led road safety initiative targeting impaired driving in the early hours of the morning.
Conducted by Traffic Services Branch, the operation focused on high‑risk locations and times identified through intelligence and crash data.
Across the operation, police conducted:
- 285 alcohol tests
- 110 drug screening tests
- 3 positive alcohol results
- 11 positive drug tests, including methamphetamine and THC
- 36 traffic infringement notices (including two CENs)
- 28 vehicle defects
- 7 reports
- 3 vehicle impounds for offences carrying impound provisions
All drivers who returned a positive drug result were issued with an Immediate Loss of Licence Order (ILOL).
Two people were arrested during the operation. One person was on an outstanding warrant and another for breach of bail. These matters were unrelated to the drug‑driving detections.
The 11 positive drug tests included:
- Methamphetamine: males aged 26 (Salisbury East), 34 (Queenstown), 40 (Old Reynella), 41 (Morphett Vale), 44 (Hackham), 56 (Elizabeth Vale), 67 (Virginia)
- THC: males aged 18 (Trott Park), 22 (Munno Para West), 32 (NFA), 38 (Christie Downs)
Three high‑range alcohol detections were also recorded – two under 0.8 readings (Magill and South Brighton) and one 0.127 reading (Christie Downs).
“The results speak for themselves. Impairment continues to be a major factor in serious crashes, and too many people are still willing to take that risk,” Inspector Jaimi Burns, Traffic Services Branch said.
“Operation Bleach is designed to intervene at the times and locations where the harm is greatest. We will continue to run targeted deployments in March and beyond to remove impaired drivers from our roads and keep the community safe.”
Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott said SAPOL will continue to use intelligence to guide operations and focus efforts where they have the greatest impact on community safety.
“Drug‑driving remains one of the most significant contributors to road trauma in South Australia, and these detections highlight the ongoing risk posed by people who choose to drive while impaired,” he said.
SAPOL reminds motorists that drug and alcohol testing operations can occur at any time, anywhere across the state.
ENDS.
