Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

HM Customs announces rebirth of K9 Unit

The K9 Unit is an integral part of the department's fight against the importation of illicit goods into the territory. Photo: GIS
His Majesty’s Customs recently honoured the achievements of its K9 Unit and its handlers at a graduation ceremony earlier this week. Photo: GIS
His Majesty’s Customs recently honoured the achievements of its K9 Unit and its handlers at a graduation ceremony earlier this week. Photo: GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- His Majesty’s Customs recently honoured the achievements of its K9 Unit and its handlers at a graduation ceremony earlier last week.

The handlers honoured for their dedication and success were Olympia Maduro-Fahie, B'Jorn Caleb, and Shavique Barzey. The K9s acknowledged during the ceremony included Gunner, who has been recertified to continue his valuable service, as well as the newly trained Ace and Duece.

Acting Commissioner Mr Clinton G. Romney, in a Government Information Service (GIS) press release on September 13, 2024, said the ceremony held September 11, 2024, underscored a pivotal milestone in the department's ongoing initiative to elevate and rejuvenate its K9 Unit.

K9s now 'impeccably trained'- Greg Romney

Mr Romney said, "The Department of Customs is pleased to announce the rebirth of our K9 Unit. This unit is an integral part of the department's fight against the importation of illicit goods into the territory. H.M. Customs is committed to stopping/disrupting any and all channels used to breach our border security.”

Mr Romney added, “The introduction of two new K9s, Ace and Duece, coupled with the recertification of the seasoned K9 Gunner, represents a substantial enhancement of the unit's operational capabilities. With these advancements, all K9s are now impeccably trained and fully prepared to bolster the effectiveness of Customs operations.”

Trained to detect contraband, narcotics & explosives

Financial Secretary Mr. Jeremiah G.A. Frett stated that the addition of the two new K9s will significantly enhance the department’s ability to protect the Territory’s orders and to assist greatly in keeping it safe.

Mr Frett said, “These highly trained K-9 officers, are specifically bred and trained to detect contraband, narcotics, explosives, and will assist in human apprehension. With their keen sense of smell, these dogs can detect substances that are nearly impossible for humans to identify.”

The Financial Secretary added, “I would like to thank “Pure Dogz” for their dedication in training these exceptional dogs and their handlers. Their hard work and expertise have ensured that the K-9 Unit is ready to serve and protect.”

This rigorous three-week training programme was conducted by Instructor Keron Pole of Pure Dogs K9 Services. The training encompassed both theoretical and practical elements, with a focus on essential skills such as narcotics detection and bite apprehension.

25 Responses to “HM Customs announces rebirth of K9 Unit”

  • WTF (15/09/2024, 10:16) Like (18) Dislike (7) Reply
    It takes months to train drug dogs. Google it. You expect us to believe that they trained these dogs locally, with no other market to develop that product for, in 3 weeks, and that's going to be any good? Another government handout. More veneer. We clearly aren't serious about stopping the flow of narcotics in this place.
    • customs officer (15/09/2024, 16:12) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
      @WTF/other commenters..

      The three-week training was for the handler's course, which is handlers W/the dogs. The dogs did a separate training. The dog training lasted about 5 months. They came to the BVI in February and trained with the trainer only at the different ports as I've witnessed and I'm sure other places as well. Hope that brings some clarity.
  • @wtf (15/09/2024, 10:42) Like (8) Dislike (13) Reply
    You need to shut your mouth from talking BS. They received the 3 weeks training and then the custom officers will continue doing what they learned at the training to keep the dogs abreast with the techniques. Everything someone do in the BVI, you all always with some negative comments that's why the country can get anywhere and move forward. Learn to shut your damn mouth and put your skills to use
    • @wtf (15/09/2024, 14:16) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
      3weeks is not enough time is the point. There’s no way these dogs are trained, trained
  • WHAT!!! (15/09/2024, 10:47) Like (40) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just don’t leave any of them in a hot car to die.
  • guns alone (15/09/2024, 10:54) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    The only problem plaguing us is guns & gun crime. Really that is the priority. We are behind bad. Read between the lines means we had only 1 capable k9 dog. AS impeccable as they are trained & bred they have a mind of their own. Make no mistake about that. Bite apprehension. If the dog is trained to bite anything it thinks is the signal can set it off. When they get old they become senile and confused. Be careful.
  • guns alone (15/09/2024, 10:56) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Look at the one on the right. Already distracted. DO I lie hes/she is suppose to be sitting.
    • @guns alone (15/09/2024, 16:50) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      What kind of bush Gullah am I hearing this Sunday afternoon. What you mean the dog is suppose to be sitting and look distracted. The dog probably pick up the scent of the drugs you have on you.
  • resident (15/09/2024, 11:34) Like (19) Dislike (2) Reply
    BVIslanders are their own worst enemy. I will forever say this. We are sooo negative. No matter what someone does it's always criticized. Great job BVI Customs . Continue the good job.
    • @resident (15/09/2024, 14:18) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
      This one ain’t negative. These dogs ain’t trained in three weeks. Not possible
    • @resident (15/09/2024, 14:29) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      No. We just demand better. It is your complacency that is responsible for where we are.
    • @resident (15/09/2024, 14:48) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
      Yall need to stop branding any patriotic Virgin Islander that criticizes our corrupt inept system as negative. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and those of us who want better for our children’s future should demand more now.
  • please (15/09/2024, 13:43) Like (12) Dislike (4) Reply
    Love it but please don’t mistreat the dogs/leave them in hot cars to die. If they are in the police cars, please have the AC running. I am a undercover advocate for dogs and I will be watching.
    • @Please (15/09/2024, 19:38) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      They also have to make sure the dogs are hydrated and properly fed. Thank you please for being an undercover advocate for dogs.
  • Big swizzle (15/09/2024, 15:25) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    We still had K9 customs? Hardly ever see em at the ports. Hardly ever seen them in the news for any bust... With all the guns and drugs running through this place

    Weird..

    Kudos tho!
    • streets (15/09/2024, 16:16) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      The streets does talk Customs getting them drug bust they just don't publish it like the Police do. They need work on getting the guns now. Hope with the new addition of them dogs will help cause gun detection harder.
    • Past news (15/09/2024, 16:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/rvipf-reportedly-destroys-some-500k-in-illegal-drugs
  • Frenchy (15/09/2024, 16:04) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    More dogs for the short officer to kill?
  • Lol Sure…… (15/09/2024, 17:27) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ok..Ok…lol…ok station them at Port Purcell…
  • Dogs (15/09/2024, 17:37) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need an organization to check on these dog's to make sure they are cared for properly. I know dogs that were in the Police and customs that were neglected terribly and luckily a member of the public to the dog into her own home and rehabilitated it. On more than one occasion these dogs have suffered a horrible death by being left in the vehicle with no AC. We must make sure an independent source routinely checks that the animals are safe. The police, customs and others cannot be trusted to investigate themselves.
  • My only comment (15/09/2024, 17:58) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Those dogs have way more common sense and smarts than you that is blogging froth. The only difference? The dogs can’t speak. I always believe animals have more common sense and is smarter than humans. Sorry but if I have a plate of food and water I would give the food and water to a dog before I give it to a human.
  • WFISH (15/09/2024, 19:51) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    you know them german dogs are prejudice against black people
  • Norris Turnbull (15/09/2024, 20:30) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    That unit shouldn't have broken up but you had to get certain people out... Good luck Greg and crew at customs.
  • bg (16/09/2024, 13:39) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I done brought pounds of weed tru vg port when they had one there smelling up my bag and didn't hit on nothing lol
  • John (16/09/2024, 13:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    you people in the in the people in don't take thing
    serious make shure they get worm out take them to the vet regular


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.