Canine guides and specialists from the National Customs Service from the north, center and south of the country had the opportunity to participate in the Regional Workshop on Good Practices of Regional Dog Training Centers of the Americas and the Caribbeancarried out electronically with important exhibitors from the continent and the World Customs Organization (WCO).
During the development of the workshop, one of the milestones was the establishment of the Regional Community of Customs K9 Specialists of the Americas and the Caribbean, which now brings together all these inspection areas to strengthen their professional ties and strengthen the exchange of experiences.
“This synergy that will be achieved with our peers on the continent is extremely relevant to strengthen the work carried out by Chilean Customs through its Canine Training School (EAC) in Los Andes, a place where comprehensive work is carried out, ranging from the controlled crosses to have the best specimens until the training of all the dogs and handlers that operate in the main land, air and sea crossings of the country,” explained E.l Deputy Director of Inspection, José Luis Castro.
The work day included the expert presentations of the canine training centers of the Customs and border protection units of United States, Canada, Australia, Argentina and Saudi Arabiawho shared various aspects of the work they carry out in their respective countries.
Among the topics discussed, the following stood out: detection dogs, a valuable and indispensable partner of Customs; combination of chemical knowledge and K9 training to advance drug detection operations; and selection of candidates for the training of detection dogs.
World Canine Forum
The use of canine pairs complements inspection actions in Customs around the world and is a key tool for detecting drugs, medicines, weapons, gunpowder and also currency (money or banknotes). In this context, in the first days of March the 6th World Canine Forum of the World Customs Organization (WCO) was held in Hong Kong.
On behalf of the Chilean Customs, the guide instructor and person in charge of the Canine Training School, Juan Carlos Peña, traveled to this forum, who presented details of the work carried out in this facility specially built in the Valparaíso Region to develop the work with specialized dogs and their guides from all over the country, in addition to updating their knowledge and continuing to specialize.
Chile’s participation in this type of international bodies is relevant, especially considering that, within the framework of the Government’s National Policy Against Organized Crime, Customs took measures to incorporate in its dogs the capacity to detect gunpowder, weapons and currencies, which makes them important actors in protecting national security.
Finally, it is also notable that the National Customs Service is working to certify the Canine Training School before the OMA and turn it into a regional center for Latin America.
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to facilitate the most relevant knowledge of customs issues in order to contribute to secure trade in the region.
