Busted!

Corrections dog handlers have used an auction yard in Hamilton to train their dogs for the last three years, setting up vehicles with training aids that smell like illegal drugs for the dogs to find.

However, during a recent exercise all the dogs indicated on a vehicle that hadn’t been set up for the training exercise. This led to a search by the handlers who discovered a substantial amount of drug paraphernalia, residual methamphetamine and ammunition.

“The staff at the auction yard were as surprised as we were and contacted Police,” says Service Support Manager Scott Carse. “The auction yard has welcomed us in to train our dogs and we are very glad we could help them by sniffing out these unwanted extras in one of their cars.”

A check point at Rimutaka Prison in September revealed the biggest find this year. A vehicle with two male occupants was targeted and stopped. Staff found a significant amount of money, cannabis oil/leaf, scales, various knives, tablets, smoking implements and other items of contraband. The Police arrested the pair and charged them with possession of cannabis for supply and possession of a Class B drug for supply.

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