Australian police using drug dogs on public crowds

[Bible_Belt]

Australia: South Australia Police Subject Club, Concert-Goers to Drug Dog Checks
5/22/09

Under an amendment to South Australia's Controlled Substances Act of 1984 approved last year, police are allowed to use drug-sniffing dogs as part of their general drug detection duties. They are doing so with a vengeance.

Unlike the United States, where drug dog searches are typically conducted on vehicles or homes, the South Australian law allows police to sic the dogs on individuals. Since October, when four drug dogs and their handlers have been working bars, nightclubs, concerts, and festivals, they have managed to arrest more than 300 people on drug charges.

Police Minister Michael Wright told reporters Monday 327 people had been caught with drugs, including Ecstasy, LSD, amphetamines, cocaine, and cannabis. Of those, only 17 were arrested for serious drug offenses; the others were given fines, strongly suggesting that what the drug dogs were finding was mainly pot.

Wright naturally praised the drug dog teams, saying they were working hard and producing results. He also said the drug dogs acted as a deterrent for people thinking about going out and taking drugs with them.

"This government is committed to protecting the people of South Australia and helping to ensure their safety at dining and entertainment precincts," Wright said. "Police now have the power to execute drug detection operations in places identified as hotspots for drug dealing and use."

Wright did not provide any statistics on the number of drug dog "alerts" that proved unfounded. But a 2007 study that examined a similar program in New South Wales from February 2002 to February 2003 found that drugs were found in only 27% of the cases where drug dogs alerted. In another 40% of the cases, suspects admitted having smoked cannabis in the recent past or having been near cannabis smokers.

http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/586/south_australia_drug_dog_searches?print

Same story from ABC News:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/18/2573167.htm

Sniffer dogs net 300 in six months

Sniffer dog patrols targeting major events and city night spots have detected drugs on more than 300 people in the past six months.

The South Australian Government says since October last year 327 people have been detected, 17 of whom have been arrested.

A number of those detected have fined or warned.

The Police Minister, Michael Wright, says more than 500 ecstasy tablets have been seized as well as other drugs.

"The main one picked up was ecstasy tablets, closely followed by cannabis, also LSD, amphetamines, cocaine, so a broad variety," he said.

"Obviously there's a variety of offences that occur and some of the locations where they've been picked up has been Hindley Street, the Big Day Out, Schoolies Week at Victor Harbor, Adelaide Airport, railway terminals."

 

[Rho]

what thats not normal? its been happening in my city (melbourne) since 2005, initially when they brought the dogs out people shat themselves, but I think now they are starting to catch on to what a farce it is.

at certain events I would estimate that atleast 50% of the crowd are on ecstasy or some other amphetamine.

You could throw a rock and hit someone carrying, the dogs don't work.

I remember a couple years ago there was an article in the paper covering a dance event on new years day that gets over 20,000 in attendance. It said the dogs correctly detected 24, of which 22 were not convicted.

shyte all happens if you get caught with a small amount, fine, warning or recommendation for counseling are the common outcomes that I have heard.

the majority of possession arrests at these dance parties are for MJ, when i would have to estimate atleast ten times as many people are carrying pills.

 

[fertileTurtle]

Drug enforcement is a big business for governments. They really could care less about the civil rights and dignity of humans as much as they care about lining their pockets with easy cash.