UPDATED 11.12am: The Tauranga phase of the operation was done of Friday, with checkpoints in the Papamoa, Mt Maunganui, and Tauranga CBD areas using mobile units, two 'booze buses' and more than 25 staff.
More than 1500 people were breath-tested with 12 subsequently being processed for drink-driving. A number of which also had their licences immediately suspended and vehicles impounded.
Sergeant Mark Duytshoff, officer in charge of the Western Bay Of Plenty Traffic Alcohol Group, said the timing of the operation at the beginning of the festive season was no coincidence and was part of Operation Profile, the wider Western Bay of Plenty Alcohol operation which began on October 17 and runs through to January 13, 2013.
"It's a reminder that with summer approaching in addition to the festive season ahead of us, we will all be going out and having a good time and that's fine but if we are going to be drinking everyone needs to make transport arrangements before they head out.
"Remember it's simply not worth the risk of injuring yourself, your passengers or innocent members of the public for the cost of a taxi fare or inconveniencing friends or family."