POLICE stormed a Knutsford pub on Saturday night looking for drugs – but left empty-handed.

Officers from Cheshire Police visited the Red Cow, in Princess Street, in the early hours of Saturday night/Sunday morning as regulars were enjoying a night out.

The pub was searched but no drugs were found in the raid, which saw what eye-witnesses believe were up to 30 police officers – some in riot gear – descend on the nightspot.

However, it is believed a stun-gun was found by officers.

One eye-witness told the Guardian: “While the search went on, no-one was allowed to use the toilets and no-one was allowed to leave the premises.

“People were ‘kettled’ in the bar area for at least 20 minutes. It was quite frightening, and there were about 60 people in the pub.”

When contacted by the Guardian, the pub management said it had been told not to comment by the owners and did not want any bad publicity.

One person, a 41-year-old man from Manchester, was arrested and released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Insp Steve Griffiths, from Knutsford Police station, said the operation was led by officers from the town and had been as a result of information given to them by the public.

“In the run-up to Christmas, we act on any information that we receive. It is a case of being pro-active and showing that we are out there.”

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