Police drugs dog sweeps St Austell pubs on a Friday night

If you were out in St Austell town centre on Friday night, you may have had a four-legged visitor at the bar. A police drugs dog was working its way round the town’s licensed premises, and by the end of the evening one man was in custody.

What the officers were doing

St Austell’s neighbourhood policing team ran the police operation on the evening of Friday 9 October, joined by the Neighbourhood Support Team and officers from the Special Constabulary.

The aim was to discourage the use, possession and supply of illegal drugs, while helping pubs and bars keep their premises safe for customers.

Officers worked with a passive drugs detection dog, trained to indicate when someone may be carrying drugs, and visited a number of licensed premises in the town.

Two people found with suspected drugs

The dog gave a positive indication on two people. Both were then found in possession of suspected controlled drugs for personal use, according to police.

Arrest after street stop

A third person was stopped in the street and found with what police describe as a significant quantity of suspected cocaine. He was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug and held in custody.

Officers then searched addresses linked to him. Police say they found further evidence linking him to drug supply, along with a suspected taser.

The man was interviewed and has been released on bail while enquiries continue. He has not been charged.

Thanks to the licensees

Devon and Cornwall Police thanked licensees and their staff in St Austell for their support during the evening.

The local team summed it up as “excellent work in getting illegal drugs off our streets”.

📷Credit: St Austell Police