Twelve pubs test positive for cocaine

TRACES of cocaine have been found in the toilets of three-quarters of pubs in the Drylaw area where police carried out tests.

Officers from the Drylaw Safer Neighbourhood team visited 16 bars over recent weekends and found evidence of cocaine use within the toilets of 12 pubs.

Inspector Mark Rennie said: “The initiative was well received and licensees and staff were given advice on basic measures they could use to counter the problem.

“Our intention now is to widen the initiative and also do follow-up visits to premises over the next month to provide staff with information, and support them in their efforts to prevent the misuse of drugs within their premises.

“We will also be distributing posters to raise the awareness of customers of the direct health and personal safety risks associated with alcohol and cocaine misuse.”

Cocaine with a total value of £418,000 was seized by police from organised crime gangs in the force area between last April and March. It was among a haul of £2.4 million of drugs seized over the year.