BASSETERRE St. Kitts, March 29 201, (Customs PRO) - The Enforcement Division of the Customs and Excise Department has acquired a two year German Shepherd to increase the capabilities of the division’s canine unit.
The latest addition brings the number of dogs in the unit to three. These animals have each had special training in the detection of firearms and ammunitions and narcotics.
Assistant Comptroller of Customs with responsibility for the Enforcement Division, Mr. Kennedy DeSilva has greeted the arrival of the third dog saying that it will allow his team to conduct more operations, simultaneously.
DeSilva said that the arrival of this dog, named LT, will “increase our ability to detect and deter the importation of contrabands and other restricted items in the Federation. This animal is already an integral part of our team and will serve in helping us to achieve our border security objectives.”
DeSilva outlined that the Customs Department has had successful finds in the past with the use of its Canine Unit. “This additional dog will help us to step up our game.”
In May of 2010, one of the Customs dogs unearthed more than 500 rounds of ammunition at the port of entry and prevented them finding their way on our streets.
Earlier in March of 2011, the Canine unit was also used during the joint routine yet thorough search of the cargo vessel MV ELITTA I which was conducted by Enforcement Officers of the Customs and Excise Department and officers of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and the St. Kitts Nevis Defence Force.
