NSW: Police to get tougher drug search powers at state borders

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NSW: Police to get tougher drug search powers at state borders

By Jim Hanna

SYDNEY, Jan 17 AAP - NSW Police would be given more power to stop and search vehiclesentering the state under a 12-month anti-drug smuggling trial, Police Minister MichaelCosta said today.

Civil liberties groups said the beefed up roadblock powers were another step towardsthe creation of a police state.

But Mr Costa said the move was designed to clear up concerns about the legality ofpast drug searches based on intelligence that the Sturt Highway was being used to smugglein drugs and other contraband.

"We have had some questions raised in some cases …