OLLIE the sniffer dog has a good nose for trouble and he’s now being hailed as a hero by customs staff at Shannon Airport after the detected more than €300,000 worth of herbal cannabis.
The two and a half-year old springer spaniel uncovered the drugs in a consignment of freight as part of a routine operation on Tuesday.
Customs official Pat Nagle explained: “His handler ran Ollie down the line. If he detects anything, he will sit and stare which is exactly what he did. It is a significant haul for air freight.
“The drugs were destined for a Munster address. Gardaí have been notified and forensics tests are being carried out.”
Ollie has been working at the airport since September 2012. He spent one year in specialist training in the UK.
As a reward for his efforts, Ollie enjoyed some playtime with his favourite ball.
He is one of three dogs who work in drug detection on the South West. Harvey, Max and Ollie have been described as ‘experts in their field.’
Springer spaniels are commonly used as sniffer dogs and can be trained to detect drugs explosives, mobile phones, and other contraband as well as people who may be transported illegally by human traffickers. They are also used as search and rescue dogs.
