Drugs and weapons found as sniffer dog takes to streets and venues

We seized cocaine, monkey dust, cannabis and weapons after we patrolled the streets and night-time venues of Stoke-on-Trent with a sniffer dog.

The passive search dog, which is trained to operate in the night-time economy, worked as part of a wider neighbourhood policing team on Saturday (11 May).

Police dog (PD) Lucky, from the West Midlands Police Dog Unit, works on the lead with handler, PC Mark Collier, and does not make direct contact with anyone. Instead, she sits next to people when she detects drugs.

It was this indication that led us to stop-and-search 18 people under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act in Hanley and Burslem. Three people were given community resolutions after being found with suspected illegal drugs. A metal pole and a knife were also found.

We also visited 14 licensed premises where we carried out searches, took drug swipes and confiscated drugs.

Sergeant Chris Gifford, from Stoke North local policing team (LPT), said: “This was another successful operation with PD Lucky being crucial in detecting those in possession of illegal drugs in our city.

“The operation has been devised to demonstrate that we are here to support and work in partnership with our night-time venues in order to deter those who believe that it is acceptable to bring prohibited substances into them.”