The team at the RCMP's Police Dog Service Training Centre in Innisfail has much to be proud of honoured yesterday (Nov 15th) at the 2017 Homeland Security Awards in New York, for its innovation in the fight against illicit fentanyl.

The Centre was recognized for developing a technique that safely trains dogs to detect the powerful opioid, earning a platinum award.

RCMP specialists transform pure fentanyl into a diluted liquid form, which allows the dogs to train with the scent of real fentanyl without the risk of inhaling it, and they are trained to sniff and sit, to keep both the dogs and handler safe.

3 grains of fentanyl is all it takes for the synthetic narcotic to kill the average adult.

In total, there are now 135 narcotics dogs in Canada trained to recognize fentanyl, and the RCMP’s Inspector in charge at the training centre in Innisfail, Akrum Ghadban says they've been sharing their training methods with other police forces in the country, and the world.

Last year, in Canada alone, law enforcement seized about 18 kilograms of fentanyl.

Ghadban tipped his hat to everyone involved “I’m very proud of our work as a team in developing this training program and sharing it with other law enforcement partners. It’s an honour to accept this award on behalf of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.”

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/news/2017/rcmp-wins-security-award-fentanyl-dog-training?re 

https://lacombeonline.com/local/fentanyl-detecting-dogs-on-display-by-rcmp-in-innisfail