Jancy, a member of the dog unit, helped authorities seize drugs from an Indian traveler last week.
New Delhi:
New Delhi: Delhi Customs’ dog unit ‘K9’ is adding more strength to airport surveillance to detect drug smuggling, the latest example of which is a female Labrador, Jancy, who alerted officials to an Indian passenger arriving from Kenya. Helped in seizing drugs.
According to officials, two-year-old Jensi stopped by a passenger at the Delhi airport on Saturday, prompting authorities to find a suspicious object.
“She immediately got down to business, placing her paw on the man’s luggage. Immediately, the customs inspector requested the passenger, an Indian national coming from Nairobi, to come apart for a detailed search and allegedly Seized about 3 kg of heroin worth Rs. 21 crore from the bag,” officials said.
Like Jancy, 11 other sniffer dogs have become a force multiplier for the Customs Department after the K9 squad was re-established in 2019.
“Apart from medicines worth Rs 200 crore, they will be trained to detect currency notes, tobacco, wildlife, red sandalwood and other banned items,” he said.
The non-aggressive nature of the Cocker Spaniel and Labrador breeds of the squad members make them excellent non-intrusive inspection tools at the Delhi airport and the inland container depots at Tughlakabad and Patparganj in the national capital.
All members of the K-9 Squad are well taken care of by their handlers.
“After completing their duty, they rest in an air-conditioned kennel near the Delhi airport, where they are kept under strict surveillance,” said officials. Veterinarians suggest food and drink to keep the K9 force active and fit. Check regularly.”
Chief Commissioner Delhi Customs Zone Aruna Narayan Gupta said the role played by Customs Detector Dogs (K9) in the department’s efforts against narcotics has prompted Delhi Customs Zone to induct K-9 units in dry ports including Tughlakabad and Patparganj. encouraged to do so.
In February 2020, the first K9 training center was inaugurated at Attari, Amritsar, where the dogs have been trained and deployed at various customs ports across the country.
Dr Anees Cherkunath, Joint Commissioner of Exports, ICD Tughlakabad, Delhi Customs, said that currently training is being imparted to detect various illegal drugs.
He said, “Training in detection of tobacco products, wildlife items and currency is also envisaged in future batches. The first batch of 11 K9 units and the second batch of five K9 units completed their training in September 2020 and December 2021 respectively.” completed.”
He said that a proposal has been sent to the Board to strengthen the Custom K9 establishment by recruiting 242 dogs, 242 dog handlers and 80 sub-inspectors in a phased manner.
Currently, K9 units are stationed in New Delhi, Amritsar, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Cochin, Trivandrum, Pune, Mumbai (Export), Trichy and Chennai.
Directorate of Logistics (Customs) is in the process of setting up the second Customs K9 Training and Breeding Center in South India.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)