Five new drug detector dogs were introduced yesterday to Irish ports and airports by the Customs Service, to help combat drug and contraband smuggling.
The new recruits - four cocker spaniels and one labrador - double the existing strength of the canine unit in the Customs Service and are set to begin work immediately in Cork, Shannon, Sligo and Dublin airports, and Dublin Port. Each dog has been through a six-months training course in the Defence Animal Centre in the UK, which provides courses to enforcement agencies in 18 countries. A personal trainer for each dog is on call 24 hours a day and spent 10 weeks in training with their dog.
Each dog has been trained to operate in both a passenger or freight environment and can identify the scent of heroin, cocaine, amphetamine and cannabis. One dog, Spice, who will be based at Dublin Port, is also trained to find tobacco products but will only seek out large quantities of over 2,000 or 3,000 packets. According to the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, this is in response to the revenue risk posed by criminal gangs engaged in smuggling contraband cigarettes and tobacco.
One of the handlers commented that the sense of smell of the dogs is so strong that they can detect a residual smell, which can remain on clothing or luggage, on a person who has been in close proximity to illegal substances. When the animals detect a smell, they sit at the suspect's feet and wait for officials.
Ms Roisin Wiseman, dog unit manager with Aer Rianta, said the additional resources will be very successful in drug detection. Drugs with an estimated street value of €30 million have been seized at importation points this year.