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BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE OPERATION TARGETS DRUGS ^ CARDIFF/NEWPORT

British Transport Police (BTP) officers have conducted two drug detection operations in South East Wales.

Officers from Cardiff and Newport, along with the Cardiff Neighbourhood Policing Team, were joined by a specialist dog handler and drugs dog as they carried out the operation at Newport railway station on Thursday, 1 December, and Cardiff Central railway station on Friday, 2 December.

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Drugs dog Diesel during a British Transport Police operation at Cardiff Central railway station

Inspector Gary Ash said: ^This was a pro-active operation aimed at identifying and dealing with those committing offences that may have otherwise gone undetected. Our aim with the Neighbourhood Policing Team is to listen to what the community wants from us and act on their concerns. Drugs and drug-taking has been identified as a concern to people who use both stations and we are committed to addressing this.^

During the two-hour operations, five people were dealt with for possession of the Class B drug cannabis - four were issued with fixed penalty notices and one received a cannabis street warning.

^I hope this operation acts as a deterrent to those who think it is OK to carry drugs at stations and on trains,^ said Insp Ash. ^We are working hard to ensure the rail network as a whole remains a safe and secure environment for passengers and rail staff ^ and this operation was an important part of that commitment.

^This was a successful operation which I hope sent out a clear message that using the railway to transport drugs, regardless of quantity, will not be tolerated.^

Anyone who witnesses drug taking or anti-social behaviour on the rail network can call British Transport Police on Freefone 0800 40 50 40 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.