Drugs dog sniffs out cocaine and cannabis 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.

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.

“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.