Drugs dog sniffs out cocaine at licensed premises
Northamptonshire PoliceA dog has helped to sniff out cocaine and cannabis after 12 pubs and clubs were visited by police as part of a crackdown on drugs.
Northamptonshire Police said it drugs dogs team and North Northamptonshire Council licensing officers went to premises in Barnwell, Polebrook, Ashton, Warmington, Kings Cliffe, Fotheringhay, Oundle, Thrapston and Raunds.
Willow and her handler Paul Mitchinson, from Alpha K9 Ltd, discovered suspected cocaine discarded on a floor and possible cannabis inside an abandoned handbag.
No arrests were made but "those identified as being in possession of drugs will be dealt with by way of voluntary interview," the force said.
East Northants Neighbourhood Team Sergeant, Leigh Goodwin, said: "Operations such as this are an important part of our work to tackle drug misuse and ensure licensed premises remain safe environments for the people who use them."
She said it aimed to "send a clear message that drug misuse will not be tolerated".
Reform UK councillor, Kirk Harrison, the council's executive member for regulatory services, said: "Drug misuse can have a significant impact on people, businesses and local communities, and proactive operations such as this help to deter illegal activity, provide reassurance to the public and ensure our licensed premises remain safe and welcoming places for everyone."
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