DOGS ON SCENT OF ILLEGAL DRUGS

POLICE officers with sniffer dogs took to the street of Winchester as
part of an ongoing bid to rid the city of illegal drug use.

The search for those in possession of narcotics involved eight
officers and two dogs and took in the whole of the city centre.

One local teenager was arrested after the dog picked up the scent of
cannabis stashed in the 19-year-old's pocket.

However, officers are warning city drug users that it is not just
cannabis the animals can detect. Any illegal drug from Ecstasy to
heroin is easily picked out by the highly trained dogs.

Acting Sergeant Jeff Bird, who led the operation, said: "We hope this
sends a clear message to those who think using cannabis is OK.

"The use and possession of the drug is still illegal."

Sergeant Steve French said: "This is not the first time we have used
the dogs in the city and won't be the last."