Police dog works in station search

By Lia Bichel
MEAT cleavers, drugs and anti-social behaviour were detected in two separate police operations at City of Greater Dandenong transport hubs last week.
On Friday evening, 20 people were arrested during a crack-down at the Dandenong Railway Station.
Operation Browny, a passive alert detector (PAD) dog operation, saw one drug detection dog and about 35 plain clothed Dandenong Transit Unit police search people in the area and on trains.
They conducted 115 pat downs in their search for illicit drugs and discovered several people carrying weapons including kitchen and folding knives.
Dandenong’s Transit Unit Sergeant Colin Huth said police working with police dogs proved to be effective during the operation.
He said police were sending a clear message that police will catch anyone carrying drugs or weapons.
“Police are taking a zero-tolerance approach when it comes to people carrying drugs,” he said.
Sgt Huth said cannabis was generally the most common drug detected, followed by speed and other amphetamines.
“Of the 86 people who were detected during the last operation in September, 20 had drugs in their possession,” he said.
“This shows that the dog is picking up the scents, even if the drug has been used prior.”
On 14 October, Operation Guardian saw Police Operations Response Unit and Transit Safety Division officers saturated the Cranbourne Pakenham line and surrounding areas in an effort to reduce crime.
Police seized 11 weapons, including meat cleavers, from a nearby yard following a tip off from a local resident while patrolling Noble Park Railway Station.
They breath-tested 321 people as part of the operation and only one person recorded a reading over the legal limit.
Police issued 70 penalty notices for traffic and public transport related offences including speeding and not wearing seatbelts.
They detected drivers who were either unlicensed, disqualified or suspended and arrested two people for being drunk.