After 8 years of service and hundreds of procedures, the detection dog “Suky” retired, reported Chilean Customs this Thursday (14.05.2020/XNUMX/XNUMX).
According to the statement, the specimen was born in Los Andes, a city in the Aconcagua Valley, however, it carried out work in the regions of Valparaíso and Antofagasta, with the north being the area where "Suky" It stood out for the series of discoveries that in recent years alone allowed the interception of more than 220 kilos of drugs.
The farewell ceremony took place in the honor pergola of the Regional Customs Directorate of Antofagasta. Due to the contingency measures for the pandemic, it was only attended by the Regional Director, Francisco Romero, the advisor to the Ministry of Finance of the Antofagasta Region, Pablo Castillo, and inspectors who worked directly with the can.
“Suky” was born on January 21, 2011 in the Andes. She is the daughter of two legendary Customs detection dogs, the Golden Retrievers “Bruce” and Leia”. After her adaptation period as a puppy, she was selected to be trained in the detection of different types of drugs and tobacco.
In the second half of 2016 she was assigned to Antofagasta and he teamed up with his human guide, with whom he established a relationship of great camaraderie and professionalism that allowed them to carry out numerous procedures to detect all types of drugs, including cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana and amphetamines.
The Regional Director of the Antofagasta Customs, Francisco Romero Papasideris, pointed out that among the many procedures there is one that is remembered with special affection and that accounts for the Global from “Suky”.
«Suky» with her human guide. Photo: Chilean Customs
"The duo was at the Ollagüe outpost and during a check-up the dog alerted its handler about the presence of drugs in a car. When checking, there was a large amount of dog food because the driver thought that would distract the dog, but Suky knew how to separate the smells and later ate the food anyway.".
Romero adds that the aforementioned anecdote gives an account of the three passions that Suky had: work actively, play and eat. "In the case of the car with drugs in Ollagüe, he found his ideal scenario, because after working and playing, he ate the dog food that was there as a distraction, leaving the dealer without the drugs and without the food that he thought would save him from control.".
The National Director of Customs, José Ignacio Palma, highlighted the excellent relationship achieved by the Customs canine teams "and this is reflected in the results, given that there is passion and affection for the role played. For us Suky is part of our institution and just as she retires, We have another 39 active dogs throughout the country. fulfilling their missions".
Regarding the efficiency of canine technology and its use in Customs inspection processes, the National Director explained that it is one more tool that is added to the work carried out by the risk analysis units and non-invasive technology units.It is a very effective technique on the line and proof of this is that in Los Andes we inaugurated last year a modern dog training school that has a maternity ward, classrooms and training fields on a 3.700-meter plot of land and a 600-square-meter building.".
Finally, Romero Papasideris pointed out that among different applicants they searched for a home that would receive and care for the dog Suky. "She will be adopted by a family from Calama which has a large patio and enough space for the dog to rest and entertain itself. We are sad that she is no longer in our outposts and shifts, but we are also happy to know that she will rest in a family that loves her and where she will be able to continue giving and receiving love.".
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to provide the most relevant knowledge on customs issues in order to contribute to safe trade in the region.
