Drug Detection Dogs Yeti and Wilson were born and bred by the Australian Customs Narcotic Detection Dogs breeding program in Melbourne.

They then went through the Australian Customs puppy walker scheme and passed all testing to become Drug Detection Dogs. The next part of their life was the basic drug detection course undertaken by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) K9 unit in Canberra.

Two new members of the Darwin Dog Operations Unit attended the AFP K9 training facility in Canberra for 10 weeks and came back with five new dogs. Three dogs remained in Darwin whilst Yeti and Wilson were sent to Alice Springs.

The Dog Operation Unit Instructor, Sergeant David Young, is currently in the process of re-teaming the new dogs with the experienced handlers in Alice Springs. Both current operational Drug Detection Dogs Yona and Otta will be retired in the next six months to be replaced by Yeti and Wilson.

Labradors Yeti and Wilson are both two years of age. They have been trained to locate methamphetamine, ecstasy, cocaine, heroin and cannabis.

“I am extremely impressed by the quality of these dogs,” said Sergeant David Young.

“They have been able to adapt from the pristine environment of the AFP K9 training facility in Canberra to the Alice Springs environment and heat without any issues.

“Forty plus degree days are the norm at the moment and the dogs are working extremely well. All going to plan these dogs will be able to serve the Alice Springs area for the next six to seven years and will potentially detect many illegal substances.”

Yeti and Wilson will complete their NT Police induction training this week, officially graduating at the rank of Drug Detection Dog, attached to the Alice Springs Dog Operations Unit.