More PoliceSniffer Dogs
Katie detectscontraband during a vehicle search.
With greater security in place at portsof entry, especially in the Western Hemisphere, the Cayman IslandsCustoms' canine section adds three sets of eyes - and noses -to the detection of drugs and other criminal offenses.
During the past eight years of its development,Customs' K-9 Unit has strengthened its foundation by breedingand training a second generation of dogs. Three, Tracker, Ramboand Pamela, are now in regular service at the Owen Roberts InternationalAirport, dock and on special missions with the RCIP.
K-9 training officer Malachi Powery wastrained by perhaps the best and most challenged police agencyin the world Metro-Dade Police Department's K-9 Unit. During Mr.Powery's training he was teamed up with his now long-time partner,Katie, a female Labrador. Her pups, now grown, are a part of thecurrent training programme. Officer Powery's colleague and theonly other Customs K-9 Officer, Phillip West, was similarly teamedand trained with "Annie." A third Customs K-9 Officerhas been selected and further training of him and his dog willbe conducted.
The work of the K-9 Unit has directly resultedin the confiscation of five boats, four vehicles, thousands ofdollars in court fines, 200 rounds of ammo and an estimated 5,000pounds of illegal drugs valued at millions of dollars on the street.The Cayman Islands Customs' efforts are recognised as perhapsthe most successful in the Caribbean.
The dogs are highly specialised animals."Not every dog is suited for this line of work. A vital partof the teaching drills focuses on their ability to lead the handlersto hidden drugs," explains Powery. "A bonding periodbetween man and animal also plays an important role in the developmentof the crime fighting teams." He notes that relationshipswith the dogs extend much further than work, for they quicklybecome close and trusted members of the officers' families.
Officer Powery adds that local programmeoffers Government much financial savings.
The cost of training a single officer anddog overseas ranges from $4,000 to $10,000 in contrast to an estimated$150 dollars locally. He also feels that more teams are neededto reinforce the unit's capabilities.
"We are working towards placing teamsat points of entry and exit for flights and cruise ships, as wellas at all Customs storage areas," explains Powery. The K-9Unit has been in high demand throughout the years. Customs officersand dogs have assisted the Royal Cayman Islands Police in uncoveringdrugs and weapons, in training the RCIP K-9 Unit, and have helpedcatch escaped inmates.
Despite the fact that criminal methods andcrime-fighting techniques have grown more complex as both sidesuse the best in advanced technology, the answer to enhanced drugdetection and interdiction may still be as simple as greater relianceon man's best friend.