POLICE have carried out a drug testing operation at a public house.
Sixteen Lewisham officers used an itemiser machine to detect traces of drugs on people entering The Copperfield, Station Approach, Catford.
A swab is taken from a person's hand, entered into the machine and analysed.
The process takes eight to 10 seconds after which the machine can tell officers what drug has been detected.
The machine can detect all kinds of drugs from cocaine to cannabis and can also detect handing of firearms.
Seventy five people were swabbed by officers as a condition of entry to the pub on Friday evening.
Four people were then searched and one person arrested for possessing cannabis.
Copperfield manager Judith Boyce said: "We welcome the opportunity to work so closely with the police on this new initiative.
"We are confident this will send out the right message to our customers."
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