The second Police Drug Detector Dog to be trained to find Kava by the Dog Operations Unit has made a find only three days into training yesterday.

Newly qualified Drug Detection Dog Instructor, Senior Constable First Class, David Young said that during a training run at the Post Office, Drug Detector Dog Nugget screened incoming mail and provided a positive indication to a mail bag.

“The mail bag was then opened with DDD Nugget again responding to a parcel in which 2.6kg of Kava was located alongside children’s clothing.

“At only three days into training, this is the ultimate reward for DDD Nugget, his handler and myself. It is a great achievement for the NT Police to now have the skills and qualifications to train our own drug dogs at the Dog Operation Unit.

“The first phase of training commenced on Friday, where we focused on imprinting the new odour - Kava. DDD Nugget is then placed in a more operational environment where he is really put to the test with other non drug odours being introduced.

“DDD Nugget picked up Kava very quickly and after more of the same training on Monday, I knew the odour was imprinted. The training really focuses around rewarding any indication on the new odour,” Senior Constable First Class Young said.

DDD Nugget is funded by FAHCSIA and is utilised to stop the supply of dangerous drugs to remote communities as well as assisting Police Officers to search people, houses and freight for various drugs. 

DDD Nugget is a 6-year-old Labrador and handled by Senior Constable Dee Horwood. He is already trained to detect heroin, ecstasy, cannabis, cocaine and crystal methamphetamine.

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