Nine drug-detector dogs join Customs, DOC & GPD in fight against drugs

Nine drug-detector dogs join Customs, DOC & GPD in fight against drugs

The Guam Customs & Quarantine Agency, the Guam Police Department, and the Department of Corrections are strengthening their fight against drugs on the island with new partners: nine drug detector dogs now reporting for duty. KUAM spoke speaking with Customs director Ike Peredo about the latest addition to the team.

While they may look cute and fluffy, these nine drug-sniffing dogs are truly valuable partners in detection and deterrence. Ready to stop dangerous substances in their tracks, they are on duty to protect the island from further harm.

“Having the additional drug-detector dogs is a plus for the agency," said Director Peredo.

These highly-=skilled canines will be deployed to five points of entry, strengthening agency’s efforts to protect our borders from illicit drugs.

GPD and DOC will each receive two dogs, thanks to funding from the Office of the Attorney General. Said Peredo, “The attorney general has approached our agency with regard to the opioid settlements–and he mentioned to us under this opioid settlement, that he would like to use part of this funding that Guam’s receiving to their office to fund and increase the number of drug-detector dogs that we have.”

Each dog is pre-trained to detect methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, and marijuana. They have also completed their acclimation period in guam and will continue to receive training, including imprinted on the odor of fentanyl.

“The threat of fentanyl is really deadly. As it requires at least 2 milligrams of fentanyl, it can be fatal, and it’s very important for us to ensure that we provide the proper training to the handlers that are going to be utilizing the dogs to detect fentanyl," he added.

The dogs are said to be able to serve for about seven years, but this can vary depending on the dog’s condition.

This is Phase 1 of a two-phase plan to acquire 18 drug-detector dogs.

Additionally, Customs responded to how they safeguard their drug-detector dogs when detecting lethal drugs, such as fentanyl: "When training drug detector dogs on illicit drug and narcotic odors, the health and safety of both the canines and their handlers is a top priority. Our canine training personnel ensure their training aids are used in strict adherence to the recommended safety protocols as they relate to target odor concentrations and how they permeate, environmental controls, safe storage, and proper dog nutrition and rest.

"The goal of the training process is to ensure that the dogs learn recognition of such odors without any risk of ingestion or direct exposure. This is accomplished by using controlled concentrations, or even pseudo substances, and conducting training in well-ventilated areas to prevent the spread of potentially airborne particles. Our handlers are trained to work with these aids carefully and to use appropriate protective measures to further minimize any risk to the dogs and themselves, to include the presence of an opioid antagonist, if its use is necessary."