Pubdate: Thu, 15 Feb 2007
Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)
Copyright: 2007 The Edmonton Journal
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/edmonton/edmontonjournal/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134
Author: Jim Bronskill, Canadian Press

SMUGGLERS TRY TO EVADE LONG NOSE OF THE LAW

Attempts Made To Foil Sniffer Dogs At Border Crossings

OTTAWA - 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 units need
to be 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 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," the study says.

The study found that while there is little evidence the detector dogs
are deterring smuggling -- an expected outcome of the program -- there
are 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."

Anecdotal evidence suggests the dog teams decrease the amount of drugs
brought into Canada for personal use. For instance, they seem to
discourage incoming busloads of U.S. skiers from carrying recreational
drugs, having been warned by tour operators that dogs will sniff out
the contraband.
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MAP posted-by: Derek