Detector dogs spur smugglers to mask contraband, study suggests

[TribalRats]

Detector dogs spur smugglers to mask contraband, study suggests

Jim Bronskill, Canadian Press
Published: Thursday, February 15, 2007


OTTAWA (CP) - A federal study says smugglers may be switching tactics to take the bite out of their four-legged opponents - canny canines that sniff for illicit drugs, plants and currency.

An evaluation of the national detector dog program says the initiative might be prompting criminals to mask the scent of their contraband or simply avoid ports where the animals work.

The study also found that while the pooches are efficient members of Canada's border units, more dog teams may be needed and the government should ensure they are optimally located.

"There is currently no overall risk framework to determine the placement of the detector dog teams," the report says.

The evaluation, completed in December by the Canada Border Services Agency, recommends an annual assessment be carried out to ensure "maximum coverage" of dog teams at high-risk ports.

The border agency has 69 detector dog teams, each composed of a canine and handler, working in marine, air, postal and land ports at an annual cost of $6 million.

The capacity of dogs' brains to process smells is 40 times greater than that of humans. Labrador retrievers and beagles are the breeds of choice for the border service.

Forty-six dogs focus on drugs and firearms, 19 seek out illicit food, plants and animals, and four sniff for smuggled currency.

In 2005-06, dog teams were involved in the seizure of almost $68 million worth of drugs, 24,000 animal and plant products, and $500,000 in currency.

The amount of suspect money detected dropped dramatically from $6.4 million in 2003-04.

The study says that while seizures fluctuate from year to year, one explanation for the dip is that two of the four currency detector teams were out of service for five months in 2005.

"It is also possible that money launderers are aware of CBSA use of detector dogs and have moved their smuggling activities to other ports" - a perception supported by dog handlers.

The study found that while there is "little evidence" the detector dogs are deterring smuggling - an expected outcome of the program - there are indeed indications that the presence of dogs is "changing the behaviour of smugglers."

Examples include wrapping that masks or seals odour, affecting the ability of dogs to find illicit goods or undeclared currency.

Border agency spokesman Derek Mellon said such tactics are a sign "the detector dogs are doing a good job."

The study adds that anecdotal evidence suggests the furry employees decrease the amount of drugs brought into Canada for personal use.

For instance, they seem to discourage incoming bus loads of U.S. skiers from carrying recreational drugs, having been warned by tour operators that dogs will sniff out the contraband.

The study also raises a possible concern about plans to arm border guards in coming years, as the dogs are trained to find firearms.

"On the one hand, trainers say that a dog can be trained to distinguish between firearms that are concealed versus those that are carried openly," the study says.

"On the other hand, when an odour is strong in an environment, it may be challenging for a dog to focus on the firearms that are being smuggled in."

The issue "need to be monitored" as the arming initiative unfolds, the study warns.

Mellon said officials met recently to plot steps to implement the study's recommendations within one year.