149   General drug detection with dogs by warrant

(cf Police Powers (Drug Detection Dogs) Act 2001, s 8)

(1)  A police officer may use a dog to carry out general drug detection if authorised to do so by a warrant under this section.

(2)  A police officer who has reasonable grounds for believing that the persons at any public place may include persons committing drug offences may apply to an authorised officer for a warrant under this section.

(3)  An authorised officer to whom such an application is made may, if satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for doing so, issue a warrant authorising any police officer to use a dog to carry out general drug detection in the public place during the period or periods specified in the warrant.

(4)  An application for a warrant under this section must disclose whether any general drug detection to be carried out under the warrant will be part of a covert police operation.