Bengaluru city police have ramped up efforts against drug trafficking by training their dog squad to detect synthetic drugs such as MDMA, LSD, and ecstasy pills, commonly found in rave parties.
Previously trained primarily for detecting marijuana and charas, the dogs have now been equipped to sniff out modern synthetic drugs, a crucial upgrade in their capabilities, according to City Police Commissioner B Dayanand.
These specially trained dogs are invaluable in our operations targeting rave parties, drug peddlers’ hideouts, and even warehouses of courier companies, buses, and trains,” stated Commissioner Dayanand. Recently, during a raid on a rave party in Electronic City, the trained dogs played a pivotal role in uncovering narcotics.
In response to the success, all new additions to the dog squad—comprising four German Shepherds and one Beagle—are now trained to detect a range of substances by scent, amounting to ten different types of drugs.
Inspector Laxmikant from the dog force highlighted the dogs’ specialized training, enabling them to detect drugs from up to 50 meters away. This capability proves crucial in apprehending suspects before they attempt to flee.
Initially trained for drug detection, the dogs underwent further training to detect drugs concealed in luggage, bags, on individuals, vehicles, and within buildings. Their training includes indicating finds through tail wagging or barking, depending on the individual dog’s signal method.
