EAST: Drugs located in rail blitz
Police arrested 11 people during an operation targeting drugs and anti-social behaviour at railway stations across Melbourne’s east.
Transit police and PSOs, as well as officers from the Public Order Response Team, saturated Clayton, Glen Waverley and Oakleigh railway stations to boost the safety of commuters.
A passive alert detection dog from the Dog Squad was also deployed each day to sniff out those illegally carrying or dealing illicit drugs.
Police spoke with more than 400 people during the three-day operation.
Some 11 people were arrested, and one weapon was seized.
This includes:
• A 45-year-old woman who allegedly kicked the police dog as it approached her. The woman, of no fixed address, will be charged on summons with animal cruelty and possessing drugs.
• A 50-year-old Flemington man who was allegedly carrying methylamphetamine and cannabis.
• A 16-year-old boy who was allegedly carrying a knife that had just been stolen from a nearby store.
• A 31-year-old Dandenong man who was arrested on outstanding warrants.
Seven other people were detected by the police dog for allegedly carrying illicit drugs.
Operation Board ran at Clayton on Tuesday (July 15), Glen Waverley on Wednesday (July 16), and Oakleigh on (July 17).
Transit East Sergeant Keith Bellinger said: “This operation was about deterring the anti-social behaviour that can often come with illicit drug use.
“Not only are the detection dogs great at sniffing out illicit drugs on people, but they also send a clear message to dealers in the area that we are out in force.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe on our public transport network so we will continue to run these targeted operations to stamp out anti-social behaviour.”
Pictured: Police Dog Squad. File image.