Center will teach dogs to detect drugs, explosives, cash and other evidence of crimes.
The director of the National Drug Control Bureau (DNCD) Major General Julio César Souffront Velázquez and the U.S. ambassador to the Dominican Republic James Brewster led the grand opening of modern buildings donated by the United States Southern Command. The buildings will house the Regional Canine Training Center, which will train dogs to detect drugs, explosives, cash and other evidence of organized crime.
“The Embassy of the United States will continue to support the DNCD’s canine academy through the purchase of more canines, which will be an important tool in the war on drugs. The canines will help improve civilians’ security in the Dominican Republic and improve security systems in airports, sea ports and along the border. These trained dogs will also protect the efficient flow of commercial trade, promote tourism, and keep drug traffickers from exploiting the country’s critical infrastructure,” said Ambassador Brewster during the ceremony.
The training center, with space for about 40 persons, includes dormitory rooms, bathrooms, a kitchen, sterilization equipment, recreation areas, air-conditioned classrooms, four covered stations for training the canines, and independent alternative-energy power system, among other amenities.
The US$1.5 million building was built by the Department of Defense and the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) through the United States Southern Command. Likewise, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) contributed US$300,000 to acquire 40 canines, equipment and furniture for the new buildings. The Center is planning on acquiring more canines to meet the DNCD’s requirements.
The drug enforcement agency reported that the buildings’ donation was done under the Narcotics and Law Enforcement Agreement, between the Dominican Republic and the United States, which allows for even more efficient efforts against international drug trafficking and money laundering.
The DNCD indicated that experienced instructors will train the Dominican agents, as well as all personnel and the model canines, which come from various Latin American countries, with all the necessary implements to conduct and effective drug enforcement operation.
The grand opening of the modern regional center included a demonstration by the DNCD Canine Unit, detecting narcotics and other evidence hidden in vehicles, containers, homes or any other mechanism used by drug trafficking networks.
Since 1998, the United States Embassy has supported the DNCD’s canine program, with an initial donation of 15 drug-sniffing dogs and building kennels at DNCD headquarters. Over the following years, the center acquired more trained dogs and offered training for their handlers.
In 2007, working with the DNCD and the Dominican Republic’s National Army, the United States Embassy constructed a canine academy at the historic fortress of La Cumbre. The DNCD assumed control of the training center. With the assistance of the United States Embassy, the first 11 trained dogs in the Dominican Republic graduated with their respective trainers in 2011 from the country’s first canine academy.
The director of the National Drug Control Bureau (DNCD) Major General Julio César Souffront Velázquez and the U.S. ambassador to the Dominican Republic James Brewster led the grand opening of modern buildings donated by the United States Southern Command. The buildings will house the Regional Canine Training Center, which will train dogs to detect drugs, explosives, cash and other evidence of organized crime.
“The Embassy of the United States will continue to support the DNCD’s canine academy through the purchase of more canines, which will be an important tool in the war on drugs. The canines will help improve civilians’ security in the Dominican Republic and improve security systems in airports, sea ports and along the border. These trained dogs will also protect the efficient flow of commercial trade, promote tourism, and keep drug traffickers from exploiting the country’s critical infrastructure,” said Ambassador Brewster during the ceremony.
The training center, with space for about 40 persons, includes dormitory rooms, bathrooms, a kitchen, sterilization equipment, recreation areas, air-conditioned classrooms, four covered stations for training the canines, and independent alternative-energy power system, among other amenities.
The US$1.5 million building was built by the Department of Defense and the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) through the United States Southern Command. Likewise, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) contributed US$300,000 to acquire 40 canines, equipment and furniture for the new buildings. The Center is planning on acquiring more canines to meet the DNCD’s requirements.
The drug enforcement agency reported that the buildings’ donation was done under the Narcotics and Law Enforcement Agreement, between the Dominican Republic and the United States, which allows for even more efficient efforts against international drug trafficking and money laundering.
The DNCD indicated that experienced instructors will train the Dominican agents, as well as all personnel and the model canines, which come from various Latin American countries, with all the necessary implements to conduct and effective drug enforcement operation.
The grand opening of the modern regional center included a demonstration by the DNCD Canine Unit, detecting narcotics and other evidence hidden in vehicles, containers, homes or any other mechanism used by drug trafficking networks.
Since 1998, the United States Embassy has supported the DNCD’s canine program, with an initial donation of 15 drug-sniffing dogs and building kennels at DNCD headquarters. Over the following years, the center acquired more trained dogs and offered training for their handlers.
In 2007, working with the DNCD and the Dominican Republic’s National Army, the United States Embassy constructed a canine academy at the historic fortress of La Cumbre. The DNCD assumed control of the training center. With the assistance of the United States Embassy, the first 11 trained dogs in the Dominican Republic graduated with their respective trainers in 2011 from the country’s first canine academy.
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