Pubdate: Sun, 02 Feb 2014
Source: Newcastle Herald (Australia)
Copyright: 2014 Fairfax Media.
Contact: http://www.theherald.com.au/content/forms/50
Website: http://www.theherald.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/302
Author: Ashleigh Gleeson

DRUG SNIFFING DOGS ON THE STREET

A "SIGNIFICANT" drug dog operation was carried out in Newcastle CBD on
Saturday night to crack down on and discourage street-level drug dealing.

Twelve venues were searched from 11pm to 2.30am with a drug detection
dog brought in from Sydney.

Newcastle City Chief Inspector Dean Olsen said three people were found
with small quantities of pills believed to be ecstasy.

"There were three drug seizures which were small quantities of pills,"
he said.

"This is part of an initiative addressing potential problems in the
city  it's not just alcohol we're targeting.

"With drug dog operations, and I've run a lot of them in Sydney, you
don't get very large numbers (of detections) because it is a
cumbersome approach.

"So the numbers are not indicative of a problem or lack of a problem
in the city.

"We know that drug use exists in Newcastle CBD.

"The intent of the operation is to target street level drug dealing
and to discourage the use of drugs among young people.

"It's a worry that kids could be getting caught up in this drug use
culture."

Inspector Olsen said 20 officers were involved in the
operation.

"Last night was actually a pretty significant operation and it ran
quite well," he said.

"The public were very compliant and the venues were generally
co-operative."

Inspector Olsen said this was the second time in a fortnight they had
had success with a drug dog search in the city area.

Several people were also issued with notices for failing to quit
licensed premises or offensive behaviour in the CBD on Saturday night,
Inspector Olsen said.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D