POLICE, DOGS SWOOP ON CLUBBERS

FORTY people have been arrested in a blitz of a popular nightclub
precinct in Brisbane, which also netted cash and drugs.

About 100 police officers and a team of drug-detection dogs swooped
on inner-city Fortitude Valley overnight as part of the operation
named Black Dog Two.

Brisbane Central District Officer Superintendent Tonya Carew said the
drug detection dogs were randomly led past queues of people waiting
to enter nightclubs.

"During these searches the drug detection dogs indicated that 75
people had been in contact with or were at the time in possession of
illicit drugs," Supt Carew said.

"From these indications 22 people were charged after they were found
to have illicit drugs on them while a number of others admitted to
police that they had consumed drugs earlier in the evening."

Police seized ecstasy tablets as well as amphetamines, cannabis and
cash during the blitz.

Nine people were arrested for drink driving and another nine were
arrested for public order offences.

Another 47 people were issued with on-the-spot fines for jaywalking.

The operation is part of an on-going crackdown on the district, and
Supt Carew said it also focused on licensed premises that turned a
blind eye to drug use and irresponsibly served alcohol.

"During the night Queensland Ambulance responded to five drug
overdose cases in the Brisbane Central District - this is why we are
out doing what we do," she said.