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One of the Customs anti-narcotics dog, two-year-old Labrader Retriever "Bud", was today (August 26) commended for his outstanding performance in beating narcotics trafficking activities.

Serving the Customs and Excise Department for nearly six months, the Customs anti-narcotics dog was awarded the "Dr. Dog Devotion Award" by the Animals Asia Foundation in recognition of his professionalism in the detection of a dangerous drugs case earlier this year.

The case came to light in the evening of 15 March this year when Customs officers at Man Kam To Control Point stopped and searched a container truck arriving from the Mainland. With the assistance of "Bud", the officers found seven kilograms of No.4 heroin, totally worth $2.1 million, concealed inside both side panels of the cab.

"We have a total of 25 anti-narcotics dogs working at various Customs operation areas, including the Hong Kong International Airport, the River Trade Terminal, Control Points and Kwai Chung Customhouse," said a spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department.

Before joining the Department, all anti-narcotics dogs will have to attend a training course aimed at fostering a stronger sense of co-operation between the newly-recruited dogs and dog handlers.

End/Sunday, August 26, 2001

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