Police dogs prevent smuggling and drugs

We arrived at Phu My Customs Branch right when the trainer was training the two dogs Bob and Bush on advanced skills. Seeing the shadow of a stranger, the two police dogs jumped up and growled, only when they heard the trainer's command did they return to continue training.

The trainers tasked the dogs with finding sealed suitcases laced with the scent of drugs. Bob and Bush were very good at this task, detecting within seconds 2 out of 5 suitcases containing the scent of drugs.

Mr. Nguyen Hoan Tu, a customs inspector at Phu My Customs Branch, said that every day, in addition to participating in professional training, Bob and Bush, along with customs inspectors, also patrol and control ports, and check information on cargo ships to detect prohibited goods or drugs.

On November 3, 2017, the Phu My Customs dog team participated and detected 2 shipments of prohibited goods at Cai Mep port. After each such achievement, the dog team was praised with a nutritious meal as a reward.

“In 2017, the service dogs assisted Cai Mep Port Customs in detecting two prohibited shipments of goods such as used air conditioners and photocopiers. These were prohibited import items that the business had declared under different names. The case was transferred to the competent authorities for further handling. The process of detecting these two shipments was greatly assisted by the service dogs,” said Mr. Tu.

Mr. Pham Van Vinh, a professional dog trainer at the Ba Ria - Vung Tau Customs, said that at first, when he first started working with Bob and Bush, he encountered many difficulties. There were times when the dogs were stubborn and did not follow the trainer's commands. At those times, the trainer had to be gentle and not hit or scold them because it would create a feeling of fear and they would not listen to commands.

There were times when Bob or Bush acted unusually, very hot-tempered, and at this time we had to take them out for a walk or a rest, then return to training. Or the times when Vinh was bitten by Bob in a fit of rage and had to have his hand scratched by a doctor.

Bob the dog then seemed to realize his mistake, all day he just sat still in one place without running around like usual, then he looked at Vinh with apologetic eyes. At that moment they looked so close and adorable.

Mr. Vinh shared that, since ancient times, our grandparents often said that dogs are very loyal animals and always protect property as well as human life from all dangers. Therefore, he has tried to train them, so that they are proficient in their profession and loyal to their trainers. After nearly 2 years of working together, the 2 dogs Bob, Bush and the trainer seem to understand each other better. The training sessions are not as stressful as the first days but have become playful, close and fun.

Mr. Vinh said: "When training a dog, you must always create a feeling of excitement. Do not beat the dog, because beating the dog will make it scared and disobedient. Just look at its tired expression when looking for drugs and sniffing to judge. At that time, I will stop and go for a walk with Bob, because if I force it, it will get bored, like I am playing a game with Bob."

Mr. Lam Anh Tuan, Team Leader of the General Team, Phu My Customs Branch shared that in 2016, before Bob and Bush were accepted by Ba Ria-Vung Tau Customs to work, they were trained in advance. Therefore, it was very convenient to approach, get acquainted, and understand each other's temperament. The daily work of the training officers and the service dogs starts from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from the stage of caring, raising and training more skills to detect goods, especially drugs.

Over time, along with the customs force completing the task of patrolling and controlling smuggled goods, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Customs has now eliminated 2 dogs, leaving only Bob and Bush, and will soon receive new police dogs for work.

Mr. Lam Anh Tuan, Captain of the Synthesis Team, Phu My Customs Branch said: "LDisposing of service dogs also follows a process. Normally, service dogs are considered old after 8-10 years. The dog will start to slow down. Over time, the service dogs will no longer be able or sensitive to detect smuggled objects or drugs. At this point, a process of elimination must be put in place.".

Mr. Tuan said that due to the increasing demands of the job, eliminating elite service dogs is inevitable, but everyone feels heartbroken when doing so. Because over the long time of attachment between the police dogs and the work of the customs force, it has created feelings for both sides.

A year has passed, the police dogs have contributed significantly to the achievements of Ba Ria - Vung Tau Customs in the fight against smuggling and trade fraud.

Every year, the work gets harder, because the tricks of smugglers and commercial fraudsters are increasingly sophisticated. Therefore, together with the anti-smuggling force, the police dogs of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Customs always have to be busy with work and always be ready to carry out the assigned tasks./.