SLEUTHS with a nose for the job have won praise after collaring record hauls of drugs.
Since the beginning of the year, Cleveland Police's eight drugs dogs - which include Jack, above, with his handler, PC Andy Hunter - have carried out 270 searches and sniffed out 80 drugs caches. One, two-kilogram haul of heroin had a street value of more than £200,000.
Inspector Ross Sibley, who is in charge of the force's dogs and mounted section, reckons the seven springer spaniels and one labrador have found £250,000 worth of drugs over that same period.
He said: "If there is an indication of drugs in the air the dog knows immediately and goes straight for the source. If there are drugs in any property and we are called, we will find them.'
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article