TASMANIA Police conducted a multi-agency traffic operation in the Central Highlands on Sunday, coinciding with the opening of the brown trout season.

Members of Tasmania Police Road Safety Task Force, Bridgewater Division, Marine Division, Dog Handlers Unit, together with Inland Fisheries officers, transport safety officers, parks rangers and parks compliance officers conducted a range of compliance checks.

These included random breath tests, drug driving tests, vehicle checks, wildlife and firearms enforcement as well as inland fisheries checks, between 10.30am and 2.30pm.

Senior Sergeant John Parker of Oatlands said the operation was organised in conjunction with the opening of the brown trout season.

Senior Sergeant Parker said although anglers appeared to have had a very successful opening weekend fishing in the Highland Lakes, and most were doing the right thing, it was disappointing to detect four motorists for driving with illicit drugs in their systems, and one person for exceeding .05.’’

Senior Sergeant Parker said three others were detected for minor offences under the Firearms Act and one firearm was seized.

Two people were detected for possessing cannabis and another for possessing cocaine after detections by the Police Drug Detector Dog.

Vehicle Defect Notices were issued to 36 motorists for minor vehicle defects.