DOG UNIT: P22
Sniffer Dogs Detect $1.6m Hard Drugs
Sniffer dogs at the Nadi International Airport have detected and intercepted $1.6million worth of hard drugs and illicit cash of $99,000.
This was highlighted by the New Zealand Acting High Commissioner Halia Haddad during the opening of the Fiji Dog Detector Unit complex at Nasova in Suva yesterday. The Nasova complex will house four Labrador dogs that were previously based at the Nadi Detector Dog Unit.
In its first six months of operation the dog unit based at the Nadi International Airport was instrumental in intercepting 13 cases of hard drugs, more than 35 seizures of drugs, cash and weapons.
Ms Haddad said the dogs made a real difference to reducing the ease of tracking criminals.
“Since Fiji is the travel and transport hub of the Pacific, the programme has broader regional significance by increasing detection and seizures of prohibited goods including illicit drugs and currency,” she said.
“This programme will help counter organised criminal groups using Fiji as a transit point for illicit activities. “Deterring prospective money launderers from using Fiji as a channel for their illicit funds is no less important than deterring drug traffickers.
“These detections are very good news for Fiji, but equally they are good news for the wider region. “Not all of these drugs were bound for Fiji because some would have been exported to other countries in the region.”
The new kennels in Nasova allows a detector dog unit to operate out of Suva for the first time.
The dogs, which are trained to detect narcotics, cash and firearms and provide protection at the border, will enhance security within the community.
The Fiji Revenue and Customs Services chief executive officer Visvanath Das said they appreciated the assistance of the High Commission and the work of the New Zealand Police team in ensuring that the Fiji Detector Dog Unit programme was a success.
Supervisors: Principal Customs Officer Taito Damuni handles Customs K9 Dogs: K9 Zorro and K9 Quip while Sergent Manueli Yawayawa handles K9 Conan and K9 Beau
Handlers: Senior Customs Officer Saimone Tuiraki handles K9 Quip, Senior Customs Officer Sairusi Tokasara handles K9 Zorro, Police Constable Timoci Belo handles K9 Beau, and Police Constable Iowane Serunituacoko handles K9 Conan.
Since Fiji is the travel and transport hub of the Pacific, the programme has broader regional significance by increasing detection and seizures of prohibited goods including illicit drugs and currency. Halia Haddad New Zealand Acting High Commissioner