Drugs raid swoops on football bus

A major drugs bust was launched on a football supporters’ bus.

Police sent an army of officers, including a dog handler, to swoop on an Ayr United supporters bus as it travelled on the A78 to Greenock on Saturday.

Cops lay in wait for the bus as it made its way to Ayr’s away game with Morton.

The operation faced a major backlash online after football fans thought officers were there to nab alcohol.

But the force said a “significant quantity of class A drugs were recovered”.

A police dog search uncovered the drugs and Inspector John Hamilton said “full cooperation” was given by those on board.

He said: “Legislation exists which makes it an offence to carry alcohol on a supporters bus travelling to this type of fixture.

“When the legislation was explained the majority of the alcohol was surrendered with the full cooperation of those on board.

“Officers also believed a small minority on the bus may be involved in the supply of class A drugs.

“Their suspicions were raised further on the day, which resulted in them exercising powers under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, and following a search using a police dog a significant quantity of class A drugs were indeed recovered.

“This was particularly concerning, given that families with young children were travelling on the bus.

“The majority of passengers were supportive of the police activity and supported efforts to ensure they could travel in a safe environment to see their team play.

“Although a number of offences had been committed regarding the alcohol, friendly advice was given and no person was charged.

“In relation to the recovered drugs a crime report has been recorded in relation to drug supply and enquiries are ongoing.

“It w o u l d n o t b e appropriate to comment further on this at present as it is an ongoing criminal enquiry.

“The operation was led by the local policing team and had no impact on the policing response in Ayrshire.”