Pubdate: Wed, 15 Jan 2003
Source: Estevan Mercury (CN SN)
Copyright: 2003 Estevan Mercury
Contact:  http://cap.estevan.sk.ca/mercury/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2542

MURPHY UNCOVERS DRUG SMUGGLER AT NORTH PORTAL

Thanks to the work of a drug detection dog, Canada Customs and Revenue 
Agency officers were able to apprehend a man carrying a significant 
quantity of illegal drugs into Canada.

The man, a Canadian returning to Canada from the United States, was stopped 
for a regular customs check at the North Portal customs office on January 9.

The detector dog Murphy was available at the port at the time and he 
alerted customs inspectors to the presence of drugs on the traveller. A 
search of the man and his vehicle resulted in the discovery of 135 grams of 
marijuana and five grams of hash oil. The drugs have a street value of just 
under $3,000.

Jason Michael Brown, 31, of Gananoque was arrested and turned over to the 
Estevan detachment of the RCMP and was charged under the Controlled Drugs 
and Substances Act and fined $500.

In addition to the fine, civil penalties were assessed against Brown for 
the return of his vehicle.

Jerry Shoemaker, manager of communications for the Saskatoon office of 
Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, said the detector dog service plays an 
important role in the interdiction of narcotics and firearms entering the 
country and assists customs officials in fulfilling their commitment to 
strengthen the success and efficiency of the anti-smuggling initiative.

In 2001 detector dog teams were responsible for 732 drug and weapon 
seizures, representing a street value of over $155 million.

The detector dog service was introduced to the Canada Customs and Revenue 
Agency processes in 1978. Dog teams are strategically located in six 
regions across Canada to serve both travellers and commercial shippers.

The detector dogs are classified as specialty dogs trained specifically to 
detect contraband drugs and firearms. Since 1993 the dogs have been trained 
to be passive inspectors and are especially effective in the inspection of 
travellers body packs and hand carried items that are used to smuggle drugs 
or firearms. The passive approach to detection means that the dogs are 
trained to sit calmly beside the items containing the drugs or firearms 
rather than bark, dig or move around the items. This allows them to 
circulate among travellers more effectively.

There are 40 detector dog teams across the country.
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MAP posted-by: Beth