Drug task force adds two new canines

Antioch College's free tuition offer attracts 2,500
2/12/12
Tea Party’s impact may be strongest for general election
2/12/12
Bellbrook High threat prompts police to increase security
2/12/12
'Powerball' numbers from $325M jackpot
2/12/12
Education strong determinant with work success
2/12/12
> More headlines

By Ed Richter, Staff Writer 11:24 AM Thursday, December 3, 2009

LEBANON — In its continuing effort to take a “bite” out of drug crime, the Warren County Drug Task Force will be adding two specially trained canines which are completing their certifications.

Commander John Burke said the new canines will be introduced at 10 a.m. Friday at the Warren County Sheriff’s Office in Lebanon.

Burke said one of the new canines, Kash, is the first law enforcement canine in the region and possibly the nation that has been trained to detect several of the most common abused pharmaceutical drugs, such as Xanax.

In addition, Kash, has also been trained to detect U.S. currency and other illicit substances.

Burke said getting the canines certified to do their work was a challenge since no certification procedures exist for canines like Kash.

He said special certification procedures were developed for Kash who was trained by Deputy Brian Lewis.

Lewis is also the handler for the other new other canine, Kilo, who is trained to detect narcotics.

The drug task force also has another recently-certified dog, Tango, who is trained as an enforcement canine, tracker and can also detect illegal substances. Deputy Kelly Hammonds is the handler for Tango.

All three of the canines were obtained through asset forfeiture or through a grant provided by the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators, Burke said.

He said that no county funds were used for the canines.

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4504 or erichter@coxohio.com.

Share this article