NEWS: Cairns Post - 03/04/08 'Sniffer dogs on patrol'

Sniffer dogs on patrol
Bronwyn Cummings
Thursday, April 3, 2008

POLICE sniffer dogs will be used to catch people carrying drugs in city pubs, nightclubs and streets in a blitz against crime in the CBD.

Police have warned drug users could be sniffed out "anywhere, any time".

The dogs, based in Brisbane, will be used regularly by Cairns police as part of Operation Amazon to reduce liquor, drug and behaviour offences in the city, particularly in licensed venues.

Acting Insp Mick Dowie said the canine cops should deter partygoers from consuming a volatile mixture of drugs and alcohol.

He said people could be sniffed out at any time in Cairns and other regional towns, in public places or in or near licensed venues.

The last time sniffer dogs were used in the CBD was at an Esplanade rave event in April last year when 10 arrests were made.

"The public can expect to see a variety of enforcement strategies being introduced to the city in the near future," acting Insp Dowie said.

"Drug detection dogs, for example, will become a regular feature in licensed premises throughout the city and greater region."

But Queensland Civil Liberties Council vice president Terry O’Gorman said the action targeted the wrong people.

"We’ve been opposed to the use of sniffer dogs for some time," Mr O’Gorman said.

"It’s gesture policing and any dealer with half a brain is not going to deal in and around clubs if there are dogs around.

"They are targeting the user end of the chain, not the dealer end that they should be."

Cairns City Licensee Safety Association president Paul Garnham said the city’s licensees had nothing to fear by the presence of the dogs. "It’s going to make it a much safer place for all concerned," Mr Garnham said.

Acting Insp Dowie said as Operation Amazon continued, operations Headline 4 and Resolve were now also up and running.

He said a dedicated group of detectives, general police and intelligence officers were targeting the people committing unprovoked assaults, including those of a sexual nature, after the success of Headline 3 that focused on unlawful entry and robbery offenders.

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Raid arrest pushes point
Tyron Butson
Friday, May 2, 2008

A WOMAN was arrested in a dramatic raid on a Cairns hotel just moments after the launch of a major new police drug blitz using sniffer dogs.

The woman was allegedly found with a stash of cannabis in her handbag after being targeted by a sniffer dog in the bar of the Railway Hotel about 3.30pm - only minutes after police unveiled details of anti-drug Operation Levity to media.

Drug Squad officers were forced to restrain the woman as she flailed about and yelled obscenities as she was searched, while patrons looked on.

She was charged with possessing dangerous drugs and causing a public nuisance.

Cairns City Acting-Insp Mick Dowie said the operation sent a strong message to drug users.

"Don't bring your drugs to town," he said.

Sniffer dogs shipped in from Brisbane, Drug Squad detectives and plain clothes officers swooped on 11 pubs and clubs across Cairns yesterday in the first phase of a three-day blitz aimed at smashing illegal and dangerous drug use in licensed venues.

Operation Levity is designed to deter people from mixing drugs and alcohol in licensed premises. Sniffer dogs and about 20 officers will continue to randomly raid pubs and clubs across the Far North during the long weekend.

The taskforce will work in conjunction with officers carrying out Operation Amazon, aimed at stopping drunken, violent and anti-social behaviour in the Cairns CBD.

Acting Insp Dowie said police were targeting all illicit drug users.

Under the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act, officers have the authority to enter licensed premises as well as search patrons and staff in and around licensed premises, people in public places or people attending public events.

"We are not just targeting end users (of drugs)," he said.

"What we are doing is trying to deter people from taking these dangerous drugs to licensed venues."

He said recent studies showed that people adversely affected by alcohol and drugs were more vulnerable to becoming involved in violent activity, particularly if they are in a public place.

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He said recent studies showed that people adversely affected by alcohol and drugs were more vulnerable to becoming involved in violent activity, particularly if they are in a public place.

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