8 Dec 2012

182 arrested in alcohol blitz

12:05 pm on 8 December 2012

Police arrested 182 people in a nationwide blitz on alcohol and crime on Friday night with checkpoints and patrols of bars, bottle stores and trouble spots.

Superintendent Carey Griffiths said 700 officers targeting those driving drunk, drinking underage, breaching liquor bans, and operating premises without proper licences.

Thousands of vehicles were stopped and 209 drivers were over the breath alcohol limit.

One woman was caught drink driving twice in two hours, having been pulled over a second time for speeding, despite being forbidden from driving after the first offence.

Superintendent Griffiths said underage people were used in controlled purchase operations in Waikato, but none were sold alcohol