POLICE recovered cocaine, cannabis and amphetamines during an operation against drug dealing and drug abuse in Nantwich on Friday night.

A dog trained to identify people who might be carrying drugs, or who may have had some recent contact with drugs, accompanied police and licensing officers as they patrolled the streets and checked pubs and bars.

More than 50 people were detained and searched.

As a result two men were given official cautions – one for possessing cocaine; the other for possessing amphetamines.

Two others were given street warnings for possession of cannabis.

A large knife was found concealed on one teenager who had been detained for a drugs search. Another man was given a fixed penalty notice for a public order offence.

Inspector Bob Hassall, in charge of Nantwich Neighbourhood Policing Unit described the operation as an outstanding success.

He said: “A lot of people who were just spending a night out told officers they were glad to see us out there doing this, and staff at the pubs and bars appreciate that it supports the work they do to keep Nantwich’s busy night life safe and enjoyable for the majority of people.

“The dog can detect the slightest sign of drugs on people’s clothing or skin.

“Any sort of contact leaves traces.

“We knew that some people who showed traces of drugs would not actually be in possession of them.

“For instance one member of a group of young men later admitted that he had taken cocaine earlier in the evening.

“It is quite probable that his action ‘contaminated’ every member of the group.

“Because of this type of situation we tried to arrange the operation so that it was as comfortable as possible for everyone involved.

“In particular, we carried out the searches locally at Nantwich Police Station, instead of transporting people to Middlewich Custody Centre.

“Although it was inevitable that some people would complain, others appreciated the value of what we were doing and were content to be searched.

“No-one resisted and we did not have to arrest anyone to enforce a search.

“The fact is that even drugs which some people consider ‘recreational’ can do considerable damage to their physical and mental health.

“They also create a market and let in dealers. Those same dealers handle heroin and crack and the other drugs which destroy people’s lives, generate crime and cause enormous problems for the community.

“We have agreed with the town council that management of the night-time economy in Nantwich is a local priority and over the past two years we have seen violent crime reduced by more than 23 per cent, largely as a result of robust action by ourselves.

“I hope the action we took on Friday, and will take again, sends out a clear message that we intend to keep Nantwich’s night-time economy as clean as possible.

“People are entitled to enjoy their social life free from the threat posed by drug users and drug dealers.”