Drink and drug drive arrests over the Easter weekend

A HGV driver was remanded to appear before Magistrates after being charged with drink driving on Good Friday.

40-year-old Nicolae Gorea, who is from Moldova, was arrested after driving his HGV down the wrong way of the A548 dual carriageway in Deeside.

Police were called shortly after 10pm on Friday 14th April to a report of a HGV being driven down the wrong way. Officers attended an arrested Gorea who was later charged with drink driving, dangerous driving and a fraud offence. He was remanded to appear before Mold Magistrates yesterday (Monday, April 17th).

During the early hours of Saturday, April 15th a 29-year-old man was stopped by local officers in Abergele. The Roads Policing Unit were called to carry out a drug swipe test, which proved positive for both cannabis and cocaine. During a search of the vehicle a quantity of Class A and B drugs were found and the man was also arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply. He has since been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Shortly before 11am on Easter Sunday, a 36-year-old man from Northop Hall was arrested after testing positive for cannabis and cocaine after being stopped on the A55 at Rhuallt. He has since been released on police bail pending the results of further tests.

Shortly before midnight on the same day a 38-year-old man was arrested on North Road, Caernarfon by the Roads Policing Unit after testing positive for cocaine. He has since been bailed pending the results of further tests.

A 32-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving after she was stopped by officers during the early hours of Bank Holiday Monday whilst on the A525 in St Asaph. She has since been charged and bailed to appear before Llandudno Magistrates on May 3rd.

On Monday afternoon a man was stopped whilst on the A55 near Caerwys. The 29-year-old man, who is from the Winsford area of Cheshire was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving. He later provided a lower breath test reading in police custody and no further action will be taken. However, he was also arrested for driving whilst disqualified driving, breach of bail and two counts of theft of number plates.

He has since been charged with driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance. He has been bailed to appear before Llandudno Magistrates on May 3rd. The number plate offences are now being dealt with by another police force.

Speed checks were carried out in the Bontnewydd area of Caernarfon on Monday evening with 14 TORs (Traffic Offence Reports) being given to people for driving at excess speed. The highest speed recorded was 63mph in a 30mph zone.

Further Operation Darwen patrols continued over the weekend with TORs (Traffic Offence Reports) being given to motorcyclists for number plate and exhaust offences, speeding and contravening white lines.

Inspector Alun Davies of the Roads Policing Unit said: “It is disappointing that we continue to arrest people for drink and drug drive offences. Despite our repeated messages people are still being reckless and risking their own lives and the lives of other road users by choosing to take to the roads whilst under the influence.

“Driving with excess alcohol or under the influence of drugs is not just a criminal offence but also completely unacceptable and we will continue to target those breaking the law as part of daily policing.

“The poor weather also meant not as many motorcyclists were out enjoying the region’s roads over the weekend. However, that did not deter a small minority who were caught speeding by the Go Safe van that was parked on the A5 at Dinmael on Saturday. One was caught riding at 112mph which is unacceptable.

“We also continue to see a trend in number plate offences and illegal exhausts on motorcycles and this is something that we will also continue to target. Some of the plates we have seen have tiny letters and figures which some riders believe can’t be read by speed cameras. The issue of noisy exhausts is regularly raised by local residents. TORs will be issued to anybody caught with an illegal number plate or a defective exhaust.

“Reducing casualties remains one of our top priorities and we will continue to take action against drivers who commit offences on our roads.”