Police Transport officers charge 26 people; seize knives, drugs - Operation Halo

Monday, 02 November 2026 09:17:12 AM

Police have charged 26 people following a three-day operation across key areas of the Sydney to Newcastle Railway line.

Operation Halo was established by the Police Transport Command's North Central team to prevent and disrupt criminal activity across key areas of the public transport network.

The collaborative operation, which utilised resources from Metropolitan Sydney and Northern Region, deployed strategies to target anti-social behaviour, criminal activity, sexual offences and those wanted by police across the transport network.

Between Thursday 29 October 2026 and Saturday 31 October 2026, officers from the Police Transport Command North Central were deployed at key locations in Newcastle, Gosford, and Sydney. As part of the operation, 33 trains and five buses were patrolled.

As a result of the operation:

• 27 people were arrest and charged
• 20 drug detections were made with methylamphetamine, cannabis and other illicit substances located
• 61 searches were conducted with two knives and a replica pistol seized
• Four arrest warrants executed
• 52 move on direction issued
• 47 Apprehended Domestic Violence Order compliance checks
• 21 bail compliance checks with two breaches identified
• 14 licenced premises inspected

Incident on note:

• About 8pm on Saturday 31 October 2026, a 28-year-old man was searched at Haymarket Light Rail stop. During the search, police allegedly located and seized an imitation pistol. The man was arrested and charged with possess unauthorised pistol. He was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 7 yesterday (Sunday 1 November 2026).