No drugs found in latest sniffer dogs operation

24 March 2010

It appears that late night revellers may be starting to get the message not to carry drugs on a night out in Harlow after no drugs were found on people in the latest sniffer dog operation.
 
On 19 March 2010 officers from Harlow Council’s licensing team and Essex Police visited 11 licensed premises around the town as part of Operation Napalm. Specialist sniffer dogs that can sniff out 12 different substances including cocaine, heroin and cannabis joined the operation to search for persons in possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia left in premises.
 
No drugs were found on any persons and the level of drug paraphernalia found were a lot less than on past operations. In the previous two operations six people were arrested for possessing drugs and three people given street cautions.
 
Councillor Sarah-Jane Dangerfield, Vice-Chairman of Harlow Council’s Licensing Committee, who attended the operation, said:
“This is a regular exercise we carry out with the co-operation of local premises. Together we want to cut down drug misuse in the town and this exercise is helping to do just that. The results of this latest operation show that maybe people are starting to get the message that bringing drugs out on a night out won’t be tolerated in Harlow. The risk that sniffer dogs could turn up at any point and catch them out is not worth the gamble.
 
“I would like to express my thanks to the police and the dog handlers for their commitment and also give high praise to the licensees for their dedicated commitment in cooperating with us and the patrons for their patience while the agencies carried out their investigations.”
 
Harlow district commander, A/Chief Insp Tom Mitchell said:
“This multi-agency operation successfully achieves a key aim, to keep people safe and free from drugs whilst enjoying a night out in Harlow.”