On the beat: Sniffer dog joins police drug blitz in Geelong’s night-life precinct

A sniffer dog sparked a foot chase through Geelong’s back alleys as the Addy joined the men and women in blue on a nightlife blitz that uncovered knives and drugs.

It’s 1am in central Geelong and a group of uniformed police wander off the James St strip and down Minns Lane, away from throbbing music and thronging crowds.

At the front of the group is Rufus, a black labrador who’s inquisitive nose scours the scene.

Holding tight to his lead is a member of Victoria Police’s Dog Squad.

The Geelong Addy joined police on a ride-along to see what happens when police bring out the Dog Squad for a drug blitz.

Rufus the sniffer dog. Picture: Alexander Blain

Saturday night was the second part of the operation, with a sniffer dog previously joining officers on the beat on May 17.

Rufus began the night outside There There on Malop St, before swinging up through the Civic Centre carpark – which turns into a major thoroughfare on a Saturday night.

Back in the back alleys behind the city’s party strip, a few revellers watch Rufus pass but nothing seems untoward.

A man’s low-slung jeans come under scrutiny on Moorabool St. Picture: Alexander Blain

That is until a man takes one look at the black labrador and suddenly takes off.

Two officers immediately race off in pursuit, chasing him around a corner.

“Which way did he go?” is the cry.

An officer searches a man’s wallet on Malop St. Picture: Alexander Blain

The remaining officers keep their eyes peeled, making their way around Minns Lane back towards James St.

The crowd is thick with revellers now that venues Beavs, Dive and Captain have closed for the night.

“They can disappear into that so easily,” one officer says of the press of bodies.

But the police aren’t giving up, and after another lap of Minns Place, the runner is apprehended in Dennys Place, arrested and taken to Geelong police station for an interview.

Officers on Sunday confirmed a 29-year-old Geelong West man was charged with drug and weapon offences and bailed to face the Geelong Magistrates Court.

The contents of a handbag are examined. Picture: Alexander Blain

In all, nine offenders were processed for drugs, with eight being handed cautions or drug diversions.

Two of the nine allegedly had knives.

A man on a pushbike was processed after allegedly being found with cannabis and a large hunting knife on Moorabool St.

A handbag is searched on Brougham St, outside Lambys. Picture: Alexander Blain

He was processed again later in the night, after police received intel he had been bragging about drugs allegedly hidden in his vape that had been missed during the first search.

On May 17, six offenders were processed for drugs, and four people were given infringement notices for behaviour offences.

A man’s shoes are examined, but no drugs are inside. Picture: Alexander Blain

Across both nights, the drugs detected included cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, ice and ketamine.

It’s all in a night’s work for Rufus the sniffer dog. He’ll remain on the beat, doing sweeps of the precinct until around 2am.

In between sweeps, the busy pooch has a rest and a drink, before setting out again.

Rufus is not a usual sight around Geelong’s party hotspots; revellers frequently comment as the canine goes past.

Rufus and his handler. Picture: Alexander Blain

Some ask if they can give it a pat – not while he’s working, his handler warns.

But he’s a useful asset for police.

In Victoria, police can search someone in a public place without a warrant if they reasonably suspect that person has drugs, or other illicit goods, such as weapons.

Sniffer dogs like Rufus can be a way for police to establish that suspicion.

Unlike the man who ran away, most of the people searched were allowed to go on with their night.

A man is arrested in Dennys Place and taken to Geelong police station for interview. Picture: Alexander Blain

As was the case on Saturday, a handful of cases result in people being taken back to a Mobile Policing Unit, like the one set up just off Little Malop St, to be processed.

Here, they’ll fill out some paperwork, sign a form, any drugs will be confiscated and they’re free to go with a caution, instead of being charged with an offence and having to go to court.

An officer examines a bag containing pills found on a man on Moorabool St. Picture: Alexander Blain

Originally published as On the beat: Sniffer dog joins police drug blitz in Geelong’s night-life precinct