During a routine inspection, River detected a suspicious brown paper bag that was believed to contain a fan for a prisoner.
Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the fan concealed narcotics inside. The contents included 1.68g of methamphetamine, 2.4g of marijuana, 11.73g of tobacco, a cell phone, and a charger.
Authorities have reported the incident to the police for a thorough investigation.
River’s handler, Christian Swift, expressed his pride in River’s remarkable find, stating, “It is a truly remarkable find, and River did an amazing job at leading us straight to the source.”
Swift emphasized the dangers of drugs and contraband in prisons, highlighting their potential to disrupt rehabilitation efforts and pose risks to staff and inmates.
He also mentioned the importance of detector dogs in maintaining safety within prison facilities.
River, known for her exceptional detection skills, enjoys playful activities like “bursts of zoomies” as a reward at home.
As one of 24 detector dog teams in New Zealand’s prisons, River has earned recognition for her skills, winning the Department of Corrections’ body pack search competition twice in 2023 and 2024.
-Allied Media
