New police dogs to sniff out drug deals

[garywmeyerhoff]

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org

Pubdate: Monday 21 June 2004

Source: Northern Territory News

Author: Lorelei Fong Lim

Copyright: 2004 Northern Territory News

Email: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au

Url: http://www.ntnews.com.au

 

New police dogs to sniff out drug deals

 

The Northern Territory Police force is to get a drug-detection dog unit, despite a rejection by Cabinet of the proposal more than a year ago.

 

Such a drug dog unit was a recommendation of last year's O'Sullivan report into the police service.

 

Cabinet rejected the drug dog unit in March last year.

 

But after the August publication of the O'Sullivan report, the Territory Government committed to implementing all its recommendations, including a drug dog unit.

 

It's now likely the new unit will be fully operational shortly after Christmas.

 

Police Minister Paul Henderson said vehicles had been bought and work had begun on the design of appropriate kennel facilities.

 

"This is a first for the Northern Territory and it adds to the government crackdown on drug offences," Mr Henderson said.

 

"It enhances our other measures such as the drug house and forfeiture of assets laws. We're making it much harder for drug dealers in the Territory."

 

The unit will have two dogs, which will be sourced from Australian Customs Services.

 

Mr Henderson said the dogs and their handlers could be used anywhere but it was up to the drug squad where they'd target.

 

"It's an operational issue for the drug squad," he said.

 

"But the dogs have a proven capability on being able to locate drugs in luggage or other packagings.

 

"They could be used in any function."

 

Mr Henderson said the dogs may be used to target transport to remote communities where cannabis importation has been a concern for some time.

 

"Planes, cars, barges -- there will be some targeting of the remote communities," he said.

 

Training with the dogs and handlers will begin in late September.

 

On the $400,000 O'Sullivan report generally, Mr Henderson said the Government was still committed to implementing all the report's recommendations.

 

"It continues to roll out," Mr Henderson said of the Government's response.

Edited June 20, 2004 by garywmeyerhoff

[WantDaChronic]

well im glad i dont live in the NT, but as i dont deal, only use it wouldnt be that big of a concern for me...

 

think this is a load of shit tho, will only make ppl want drugs more and push the prices higher.....

 

Lets just fuck over all drug users, make the availability nose dive, push the prices up, then put any1 in gaol who has anything on them...isnt that the governments dream? if not they have certainly fucked up along the line somewhere

[Guest]

Its only two mutts borrowed from customs but its still a worry. Dogs scare the shit out of me. Their noses are just too fucking good. I own a few dogs myself. I love them. A dog will never let you down and you'll never have a more faithful mate. When trained to detect drugs they do an incredible job. Its hard to fool them and they work bloody hard. Lets just hope this initiative falls to the wayside next budget time. Would be a worrying trend for this to prove a success and continue.

 

To all you NT traffickers remember to throw pepper around the floor of your vehicle. Not too much though. There are chemicals which can totally overload a dogs sensitive olfactory system but please be careful not to hurt the poor buggers. Not only would it be cruel to the animal but could land you in a heap of serious trouble too. A dog writhing on the floor in nasal agony is kind of a dead giveaway and might lead to cops pulling your vehicle to pieces in search of what you're hiding.

 

Besides, if you use a rental vehicle and are careful not to leave any prints or other direct evidence then the cops will have to prove you actually knew it was there. Difficult if not impossible. Asians used to smuggle heroine into Melbourne that way for years. They knew the law and there was sweet fuck all the cops could do about it. So don't sweat too much if you get pulled up. Smile and remember to act totally innocent. Cops up north are prone to bending the law as they see fit but if you play it cool and don't give them too much lip they'll likely let you go on bail. In court your legal aide will eat them for breakfast.

 

Nine out of ten successful prosecutions are a result of people admitting their guilt. You have the right to remain silent. Even if they hold you on remand and bash you don't say any more than you need to to get out of there. Give them a bodgy statement if they insist on one but keep it simple and don't let the bastards get to you.

 

I hate cops.