Dealers put on notice

A national campaign encouraging people to blow the whistle on drug dealers launched in Broome this morning.

The Dob in a Dealer campaign, funded by the Australian Government and established in partnership with Crime Stoppers Australia, encourages local communities to report any information regarding the manufacture, trafficking and supply of illicit drugs, specifically ice.

The initiative was launched by federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan as part of the Australian response to the recommendations of the National Ice Taskforce in December 2015.

It is being run in every State and Territory in support of police operations.

The Broome launch was held at the Shire of Broome council chambers this morning attended by Crime Stoppers WA chief executive Kim Harrison, Federal MP Melissa Price, Kimberley District Acting Superintendent Omar Chahal and Broome Shire president Ron Johnston.

Mr Harrison said people could contact Crime Stoppers to anonymously identify drug dealers and help to reduce the supply of drugs in this area.

Mr Johnston said drugs and related crime were identified as a key concern by the Broome community and the Shire was supporting initiatives such as the Dob in the Dealer campaign to increase awareness of community safety and crime prevention issues.

Act Dist Supt Chahal said the ice scourge needed a whole-of-community response, and this campaign empowered community members to play their part by providing reports on untoward activity.

He said every piece of information people provided can assist in solving crimes and reducing the supply of drugs.

Confidential reports to Crime Stoppers can be made by calling 1800 333 000.

According to Crime Stoppers, a total of 87 drug trafficking offences were detected in the Kimberley region in 2014-15, while 286 incidents were detected in 2015 to date.