Hotel Drug Crimes on the Upswing in Wyoming

GILLETTE, Wyo. (AP) — Authorities say they are dealing with a rise in drug crimes at Wyoming hotels.

Police are training some hotel employees to spot signs of drug use and other problems. Authorities say drug-sniffing dogs are also spending more time randomly searching hotels and turning up drugs and paraphernalia.

Gillette Drug Enforcement Cpl. Gary Owens says cooperation among hotel owners and police has led to at least five recent arrests. He encourages managers to report suspicious activity, such as the smell of marijuana smoke, large amounts of cash or strange requests from guests.

The effort comes after 60 people escaped a fire at the Rodeway Inn that police say was started by a man who had smoked methamphetamine in one of the rooms.