THE CNMI Customs Services Division says Palau needs to train its two drug-detector dogs and their handlers.
Customs Lt. Freddie Guajardo completed a three-day assessment of Palau’s K9 program last week.
During his visit, he advised Palau Customs to send at least one personnel to observe the 10-week K9 handling training on Saipan.
“We want them to witness what we have been doing here, so that they will have an idea and can prepare for their training which starts early next year,” Guajardo told Variety yesterday.
CNMI Customs also informed its Palau counterpart of the standards it follows when it comes to selecting personnel that will be trained and certified to become K9 handlers.
“But it’s up to Palau to select who among their men will be sent here. They have two K9s so we will also be training two handlers,” Guajardo added.
Palau earlier requested for the training to commence in October. Guajardo, however, said this is not feasible.
Customs Director Joe Mafnas said other territories in the Pacific have also inquired about the CNMI’s K9 training facility.
The Australian Customs Service, which certified the CNMI’s K9 and K9 handlers, recommended the local drug detector dog unit to other islands.
