BY SHIELA G. GELERA
K-9 Narcotics Detection Dogs and their handlers from different Interdiction Units in Western Visayas underwent refresher training, Friday.
The training, that was participated in by K-9 teams of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-6, Philippine Coast Guard-6, Philippine Ports Authority, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-6, was held at the Port Commercial Complex in Brgy.Loboc, Lapuz in Iloilo City, a report from PDEA-6 said.
The continued K-9 refresher training, recommended for both the dogs and their handlers, was held to boost the effectiveness of the narcotics detection dogs assigned at the ports, airports, bus terminals and jail facilities in the region, during sweeping, paneling and greyhound operations, the report said.
“During the refresher course, most of the K-9 dogs performed well and were able to locate all concealed items,” it said.
The interdiction operations routinely conducted through the use of the K-9 dogs are vital in safeguarding ports and airports from illegal drug activities, the report added.
Meanwhile, no illegal drugs were found during a K9 sweeping operations Friday at the North Ceres Bus Terminal in Brgy.Bata, Bacolod City.
PDEA-Negros Occidental Interdiction and K9 Units conducted onboard inspections among passengers and their cargoes.
Paneling inspections of inbound and outbound buses and sweeping along terminal cargo warehouse were also conducted, while PDEA advocacy materials were distributed to the riding public, the report said.*
