Two dogs added to Customs K-9 unit

As part of the Customs Department’s ongoing effort to “rejuvenate” its K-9 Unit, three dogs and their handlers recently underwent a three-week training hosted by a Virgin Islands company, according to government.

“The Department of Customs is pleased to announce the rebirth of our K-9 Unit,” acting Customs Commissioner Greg Romney said during a Sept. 11 graduation ceremony. “This unit is an integral part of the department’s fight against the importation of illicit goods into the territory.”

The customs officers who completed the course — Olympia Maduro-Fahie, B’Jorn Caleb and Shavique Barzey — attended the ceremony with dogs Gunner, who was recently recertified to continue his service, and the newly trained Ace and Deuce.

‘Substantial enhancement’

Mr. Romney said the new dogs and Gunner’s recertification represent a “substantial enhancement” of the unit’s operational capacity.

“With these advancements, all K-9s are now impeccably trained and fully prepared to bolster the effectiveness of customs operations,” he said.

Financial Secretary Jeremiah Frett also spoke at the ceremony.

“These highly trained K-9 officers are specifically bred and trained to detect contraband, narcotics [and] explosives and will assist in human apprehension,” Mr. Frett said. “With their keen sense of smell, these dogs can detect substances that are nearly impossible for humans to identify.”

VI company

The three-week training was conducted by Keron Pole, of the VI company Pure Dogs K9 Services, according to government.

“The training encompassed both theoretical and practical elements, with a focus on essential skills such as narcotics detection and bite apprehension,” government stated in a press release.