The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) today [Friday] graduated five Troopers and five canines from an eight-week training program. These new canine teams will join 46 other DPS teams stationed throughout Texas, including seven explosive-detection teams stationed in Austin.
“Illicit drugs are a substantial threat to public safety in our communities, and these specially-trained DPS Troopers and dogs are a part of the department’s efforts to detect and disrupt drug trafficking operations across the state,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “Canine officers are a tremendous asset to the agency, and we are incredibly proud to add these five new teams to our ranks.”
Three of the dogs were obtained from the U.S. Department of Defense, and the other two were received through donations. This canine graduation class includes two German Shepherds, a Dutch Shepherd, a Belgian Malinois and a Wirehaired Vizsla. All the newly-trained dogs will be used for drug detection.
So far in 2016, DPS canine teams assisted in the seizure of approximately 5,000 pounds of marijuana, 90 pounds of cocaine, 63 pounds of heroin, 191 pounds of methamphetamine and $3.6 million in cash.
(Press release from Texas Department of Public Safety)
