POLICE in West Devon say they are delighted with the results of a visit from two passive drugs dogs to pubs and clubs in the borough last Friday night. The two dogs, drafted into the area from Torbay for the special visit, are able to detect the presence of almost any type of drugs on people and use discrete indications to their handlers when a substance is found. Sgt Richard Nettleship said: ?A number of people were searched during the evening; we made three arrests and seized quantities of class A drugs, plus a quantity of cannabis. ?We also had a lot of positive feedback from the public.? Sgt Nettleship said following the success of this initial patrol, more would be running in the area in the near future. ?We have always had intelligence about drugs in the area; we know they are around and available, but it?s very hard to target individuals in the absence of intelligence,? said Sgt Nettleship. And it seems likely the drug dog patrols will not be limited to pubs and clubs. The police are currently in negotiations with the two major colleges at Tavistock and Okehampton and although a visit is not yet finalised, it is hoped the drugs dogs will be visiting the schools in the near future.
