|
Released: 18 November, 1998
National Revenue Minister Herb Dhaliwal Celebrates 20th Anniversary Of Customs Detector Dog Service
OTTAWA, November 18,
1998...As part of National Drug Awareness Week, the Honourable Herb Dhaliwal,
Minister of National Revenue and M.P. for Vancouver, South-Burnaby, today paid
tribute to the contribution of the Revenue Canada Detector Dog Service in the
fight against drug smuggling over the past 20 years.
"Our detector dogs are
an integral part of our efforts to prevent the entry of illegal drugs and
firearms into Canada," said Minister Dhaliwal. "We first started the
detector dog program 20 years ago in the Windsor, Ontario area. Now we have some
38 detector dog teams in 6 regions across the country, and each plays its own
special role in making Canada safer."
So far this year, Revenue
Canada customs officers have made 4,884 drug seizures totalling 7.73 tonnes and
worth $341 million. The Detector Dog Service was responsible for 777 of those
drug seizures worth $128.5 million and weighing 2,110 kg. The drugs seized are
mostly cocaine, heroin, opium, hashish, and marijuana.
Earlier this year, a detector
dog named Shad was recognized by the Toronto Humane Society for his hard work
and his outstanding commitment and loyalty to his job. This year, Shad and his
master have made 32 seizures worth $13.7 million and weighing 618.5 kg.
Customs officers and their
dogs also help educate young Canadians by conducting demonstrations at schools
and by providing information about the dangers of drug abuse.
"Education is a crucial
part of the fight against drugs," said Minister Dhaliwal. "The
detector dog teams play an important role in promoting drug awareness and
prevention."
Revenue Canada has long been
committed to National Drug Awareness Week as part of Canada's front-line defence
against illegal drugs. National Drug Awareness Week runs from November 15 to
November 21.
-30-
For media information, please
contact:
Michel Cléroux
Media Relations
Tel.: (613) 957-3504
"
47C/98
|
