KUALA LUMPUR: The Customs Department has received 20 sniffer dogs of the Labrador Retriever breed from India, which arrived in the country on June 7.
Its deputy director-general (Enforcement and Compliance) Ribuan Abdullah said these dogs and their handlers, have undergone handling techniques, management and adaptation training conducted by certified trainers.
Through these trainings, Ribuan said, the handlers are equipped with the skills and that they can work effectively with the dogs.
"These dogs will be handed over to the narcotics branch in states located along the country's border as part of efforts to combat drug smuggling," he said in a statement today.
Ribuan said the dogs have become an essential element in the Global Risk Management Programme established by the Customs administration.
"Their assistance was proven to be highly effective in detecting prohibited substances such as drugs and precursors, as well as aiding in efforts to prevent smuggling and cross-border criminal activities," he said.
Ribuan added that the department is committed to dismantling drug smuggling networks through various initiatives, including collaboration with both domestic and international agencies.
"The public is urged to cooperate by providing information related to any smuggling activities by contacting the customs toll free hotline at 1-800-88-8855 or the nearest Customs office in all states," he said.
The department assures that the identities of all informants will be kept confidential.
On July 20, Customs director-general Datuk Anis Rizana Mohd Zainudin told the New Straits Times that they recorded 248 drug-related cases in the first half of the year.
During this period, their sniffer dogs detected drugs valued at RM79.74 million.