POLICE cracked down on suspected drug dealers in Boscombe yesterday in an operation involving a search tactic unique to Dorset.

Ten people were stopped and searched on Borthwick Road as part of Operation Furlong, a continuing effort to tackle on-street drug dealing.

However, no arrests were made.

The operation was carried out via an ‘enforcement and disruption’ tactic involving ‘passive’ drugs dogs.

Boscombe Regeneration Insp-ector, Chris Weeks said if the tactic continued to be successful, police would use it in future operations.

He said: “This is the fourth operation of this type since the start of November.

“To date, this tactic has resulted in an enhanced number of stop and searches and arrests for possession of, or intent to supply class A drugs.

“Today 10 people were stopped and searched. Nothing was found today but operations like this send out a clear message that we will continue to disrupt this criminal activity and if you deal drugs you will be arrested.”

A business owner, who did not wish to be named, said: “There’s been a drugs problem ever since I took over the business here eight years ago.

“Fortunately, as a business, we’ve not faced a great deal of trouble, so far but I think this is a positive thing for the area.”

In previous searches, 15-18 people were stopped on suspicion of carrying drugs with up to four people arrested each time.

On Thursday, December 18, a 47-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman from Bournemouth were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs, and have been released on police bail until the end of March.