POLICE DOGS TO SNIFF OUT DRUG DEALERS

Police took a sniffer dog onto the streets of Hanley in a bid to stop
dealers bringing drugs into city centre pubs and clubs.

The operation on Saturday night was the latest phase of Operation
Nemesis - Staffordshire Police's ongoing crackdown on heroin and crack
cocaine suppliers.

Fifteen uniformed officers carried out high-visibility patrols in and
around Trinity Street, accompanied by one of the force's sniffer dogs.

The police were joined by officers from Stoke-on-Trent City Council
and the Security Industry Authority, who carried out checks on door
staff and premises licences at nightspots in the area.

The sniffer dog used in the operation had been specially trained to
detect traces of drugs, firearms and significant amounts of cash on
anyone passing by.

As soon as a suspicious smell was detected, the dog sat down next to
the suspect, who was then taken to a mobile police station parked nearby.

Inside the vehicle, officers were able to conduct full body searches
and use a highly-sophisticated ion tracker device to scan the
suspects' hands for traces of illegal substances.

The team stopped and searched 18 people suspected of coming into
contact with drugs.

A 22-year-old man from Stoke-on-Trent was searched and arrested on
suspicion of carrying ecstasy.

The arrest brings the total since the start of Operation Nemesis, on
September 13, to 28.

Saturday's police activity followed a similar operation on Wednesday
at the main railway station, in Stoke, aimed at preventing the rail
network being used to transport drugs into the city.

Inspector Shaun Kerrigan, the commander of the city centre neighbour
policing unit, said the aim of the latest operation was to disrupt
suppliers already operating in the city.

"Saturday night was all about making sure our city centre is a place
where drug dealers can't operate," he said.

"This tactic makes it extremely difficult for dealers to bring drugs
in and means that their customers are also very likely to be caught,"
he said. "Following on from Operation Nemesis, this is a reminder to
people that we haven't gone away and we are here to give some
reassurance to the majority of people who want to have a good time and
enjoy themselves.

"More operations will be conducted on the city centre over coming
weeks and we are determined to work with the door staff to tackle
those in possession of drugs."

Among those caught up in the city centre operation was university
student Jonathan Biring, aged 20, of Shelton. He said: "I'm glad that
they are out here tonight doing something and I think this will
definitely send out a strong message to anyone thinking of bringing
drugs into the city centre at night."

Anyone with information about drug dealing in their area should
contact Staffordshire Police on 08453 302010, or call Crimestoppers in
confidence on 0800 555111.