UV torches shine a light on cocaine users

Cocaine 'torches'

Torches emitting ultra-violet light are being used by Cumbria Police as the latest weapon in their battle against illegal drugs use.

Police have distributed ten 'cocaine torches'  to neighbourhood policing teams and drug squads in the west of the county. Shone on noses and mouths, they show minute traces of cocaine which might be invisible to the naked eye. Anyone suspected of using the drug will be searched by officers and prosecuted if necessary.

The torch was piloted in Blackburn town centre by Lancashire police following which police invested in a further 15 torches, worth £40 each, for use elsewhere in East Lancashire. Since then the torches have been used in other police forces and by some PubWatch schemes.

The torch looks like a normal LED torch but if it is pointed at a person’s nose and mouth area it shows up bright green if they have been taking cocaine. It is also easy to see the minute cocaine crystals that are not visible to the naked eye secreted within the nasal hair and on the cheeks and chin.

The torches are commercially available for £40-£50 from suppliers such as www.personalalarms.com

Read the rest of this story from the BBC here