PDEA welcomes new K9 handlers, drug-sniffing dogs

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Wednesday welcomed 100 new K9 handlers and their drug-sniffing dogs as the newest members of its K9 interdiction unit.

According to PDEA chief Director General Aaron Aquino, the new K9 handlers and narcotic detection dogs (NDDs) of the interdiction unit have undergone six months of intensive training in preparation for anti-illegal drugs operation.

Aquino said the man-dog team would strengthen PDEA's monitoring capabilities in the country’s airports and seaports, sweeping searches on baggage, cargoes and parcels, events monitoring, greyhound operations in jails and custodial facilities, as well as detection of party drugs.

"The superior sense of smell of dogs, which is a thousand times stronger than humans, makes them a valuable tool in the detection of concealed illegal drugs," Aquino said.

"The dog’s natural capability, when properly trained and assisted by their handlers, continues to be an invaluable asset in the ongoing war against illegal drugs,” he added.

Aquino said the new K9 handlers and their dogs would be deployed to various PDEA Regional Offices and Interdiction Units across the country.

The PDEA K9 unit has a total of 171 NDDs while 37 retired hero dogs were adopted by their new families. —KBK, GMA News