Drugs dog sniffs out cocaine and cannabis in pubs and clubs

A DRUGS dog sniffed out cocaine and cannabis as part of a police operation to crack down on crime in pubs and clubs.

Last Friday night, three-year-old Oscar – a specially-trained drugs dog – joined officers on patrol in Burnley and Nelson.

The team visited eight licensed premises, and recovered a small amount of cannabis and cocaine.

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A 37-year-old man was arrested, and later cautioned, after he was found with around £40 of cocaine in a Burnley pub.

A 20-year-old woman was given a fixed penalty notice after Oscar sniffed out a piece of cannabis in her handbag.

A 41-year-old man was given a warning for possession of cannabis, after he was found with a tin containing cannabis resin.

Insp. Tom Riley, from Pennine Division’s Violent Crime Team, said: “The checks were carried out with the full support of licensees, and we received a positive response from the majority of people using the pubs we visited.

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“We will not tolerate drugs being used and sold in licensed premises, and where we have information this is happening, we will take action.

“We have a duty to protect people from the harm caused by drugs.

“The message is clear – if you are found with drugs in pubs, you will be targeted.”

Oscar and his handler, PC Leanne Mankowski, plan to continue the checks in the run-up to Christmas.

Anyone with information, or concerns about crime, can contact police on 0845 125545. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at Crimestoppers-uk.org.

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