AN EAST Cannington grandfather has called for greater powers for transit guards after he said he witnessed drugs exchanged at Cannington Station.
“I’ve got two grandchildren, I do not want to be catching the train if it’s a transit for drugs,” Desmond Bowers said.
He claimed his latest sighting was on November 29 when he was sitting in the car waiting to pick up his daughter about 1.15pm.
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READ NOWHe said a man and a woman were near a sign at the station and exchanged small bags of what appeared to be a white powder.
He said he believed people gathered out of sight behind the sign.
“I went to the Paul McCartney concert on the weekend and felt safe there because people’s things were being searched by people employed by the organisers,” Mr Bowers said.
Public Transport Authority’s David Hynes said anyone who witnessed unlawful behaviour should report it to police.
Police have been known to target the Armadale line with drug detection dogs.
“If a transit officer witnesses someone dealing drugs, police would be called and the exchange recorded on CCTV and passed on directly to them,” Mr Hynes said.
“They can also detain them until the police arrive.
“Transit officers have powers to stop and search people if they believe they have committed a railway offence such as trespass.
“WA Police and our security services work closely together on matters like this daily as a matter of course.”
He refuted claims by Mr Bowers that the opening of Optus Stadium could mean “Christmas every day” for drug dealers and users.
“The station at Optus Stadium will only be open to the public during major events. It will be closed the rest of the time and no trains will stop there. It is ridiculous to suggest it will become a drug hotspot,” Mr Hynes said.
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