Gay cruise falls foul of Australian police crackdown

By Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk • March 30, 2007 - 10:49

Sergeant John Cox from the Marine Area Command claimed his drug dog operation was launched based on risk assessment and intelligence.

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Police in Sydney targeted the gay community for the second time in a month yesterday, with a drugs bust marring the start of an all-gay cruise holiday.

2007 is an election year in Australia, and the Sydney force have been involved in a number of highly visible and publicised operations showing they are tough on drugs.

Last month the world-famous Harbour Party, part of the Mardi Gras celebrations, was closed down by officers and revellers were subjected to strip searches.

The NaviGAYtion cruise drugs bust, in which sniffer dogs were used, only saw the arrest of four people.

Sergeant John Cox from the Marine Area Command claimed his drug dog operation was launched based on risk assessment and intelligence.

"Police will continue to conduct similar operations based on information we gather and we will continue to arrest and charge any person in possession of illicit drugs," he said, according to samesex.com.au

The cruise set sail from Sydney harbour yesterday for a three-day voyage.

It is thought to be the first all-gay cruise in the Southern hemisphere.

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