ECSTASY tablets were seized in Narre Warren on Friday night following a police drug blitz.
In a joint operation between Victoria Police’s Dog Squad and Narre Warren’s uniformed branch sniffer dogs were used to search patrons as they lined up to enter Narre Warren’s Furnace Nightclub.
Two young men were found in possession of a small quantity of ecstasy tablets and formal police charges are now pending.
Twenty fines were also issued for having an open container of alcohol in public and another eight infringement notices were given for traffic violations including using a mobile phone while driving and failing to wear a seatbelt.
Acting Inspector Gerry Hengel of Narre Warren police said the new initiative followed recent drug related issues at local nightspots and the recent success of a police crackdown on drinking in public.
“There have been a few issues of drug use at local night time venues and evidence has indicated that drugs are being used there.
“This operation highlights to the public that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated.
“The use of drugs is a danger to people’s health and people don’t realise what they are taking.
“Drugs have caused death in the past and it is important that we address this issue,” he said.
Act Insp Hengel said this was the first time police had used the services of the Dog Squad and would not rule out using it again.
“This is the first time that we have had this operation.
“We will be look at the situation and may very well have another operation like this again,” he said.
But Act Insp Hengel was quick to say that behaviour at local nighttime venues had improved greatly, which he believed was due in part to the police’s recent focus on public drinking near licensed venues.
“The venue operator was very cooperative.
“Things are far more safer currently at local venues than what they have been in the past and behaviour in the area has improved significantly,” he said.
In another police move, a mobile drug testing van was also situated on the Princes Highway between Doveton and Hallam on Friday morning.
The results of the mobile drugtesting unit are yet to be released.
Rebecca Fraser
