A Victorian woman has been fined $4003 after she allegedly stowed away in a freight truck in a bid to cross Queensland’s southern border.

October 15, 2020

A Victorian woman has been found hiding in a freight truck in an alleged bid to cross Queensland’s southern border.

Police stopped the prime mover on Dumaresq Crossing Road at Texas late on Wednesday.

Chief Superintendent Ray Rohweder says the 41-year-old woman was found hidden behind the seat of a truck driven by a 61-year-old man.

“Because of the flagrant disregard demonstrated by both the passenger and the driver we decided it was certainly a case where enforcement action was required,” he told reporters.

A $4003 fine for failing to comply with the Queensland Border Direction was issued to both the woman and the driver.

The woman was also denied entry to Queensland. The driver was allowed to continue into the state, Chief Supt Rohweder said.

The pair were known to each other.

Police stopped 490 heavy vehicles for COVID-19 health restriction compliance checks at three sites along the border.

Nine trucks were so defective officers ordered them off the road.

Police also conducted heavy vehicle road safety patrols, including roadside breath and drug testing.

Three drivers returned a positive drug test, with one found “drug driving” three times in a 24-hour period.

More than 50 drivers were fined for logbook and fatigue management offences.

The traffic operation will run for several weeks and follows an investigation in Mackay last week where 16 Victorian carnival operators were found to be travelling around Queensland in breach of heath directions.

Each was fined $4003.