Fijian K9 Handlers Graduate in NZ to Strengthen Fight Against Drugs

Two Fijian police officers have successfully graduated as trained narcotics detector dog handlers in New Zealand, strengthening Fiji’s efforts to stop drug trafficking in the region.

Constable Sher Singh Junior and his detector dog Vector, along with Constable Ratu Esala Drole and his dog Vena, completed the Pacific Narcotics Detector Dog training at the New Zealand Police Dog Training Centre in Trentham.

The training prepares officers to work with specially trained dogs to detect illegal drugs, firearms, and other smuggled items at borders and in communities.

Fiji’s Commissioner of Police, Rusiate Tudravu, attended the graduation after being invited by New Zealand Police Commissioner Richard Chambers. Officers from the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service, Tonga, and Samoa also graduated in the same program.

Commissioner Tudravu said the new skills will support Fiji’s work in stopping the spread of drugs across the Pacific.

The Detector Dog Program has helped Fiji and other Pacific countries boost border security by training both officers and dogs to detect hidden contraband. Fiji’s Detector Dog Unit is jointly run by the Fiji Police Force and the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service.