Dog team assists with drug bust

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Shane Sharp
  • 21st Space Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFPN) --  A 21st Space Wing military working dog team was key in a recent bust on the Mexican border that netted $375,000 worth of cocaine.

Staff Sgt. Joseph Saputo and his dog, Nero, both from the 21st Security Forces Squadron, were on temporary duty supporting the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection.

"We were called to search a car," said Saputo. "Nero showed a big interest underneath both rear wheels, so we opened the trunk and let him search it. He immediately responded. Customs agents removed the back seat (where) they found a compartment with 25.83 pounds of cocaine."

This was just one of the many hiding places Saputo and Nero saw during their three months on the border.

"It was pretty crazy to see how many different ways people tried to hide drugs," said Saputo. "We saw drugs found in false floors, gas tanks, dash boards, door panels, roofs and even tires. Some people just toss it in the trunk."

Some hiding places are more creative.

"One of the hardest loads to discover was in a propane tank," said Saputo. "An X-ray of a vehicle carrying a propane tank only showed the side of the tank. A second X-ray showed a storage compartment, a dog alerted on it, and then it didn't sound right when it was tapped on. There were drugs inside."

Drug traffickers have many schemes to get drugs over the border. One bust came in the form of painted vehicles.

"One group of smugglers painted a couple (of) vehicles to look like U.S. Border Patrol vehicles," said Saputo. "They stuffed the vehicles full of drugs and tried to come through the border, but they got busted."

All of the experiences served as an educational opportunity for the K-9 team.

"It was a really good experience to work with customs agents and see how their dogs respond," said Saputo. "Customs dogs train with (a) large variety of odors, so they are exposed to a lot more things. We got to train with them once a week. It taught me … how to conduct more thorough searches."

"Handlers definitely benefit from the real-world experience they get working with customs," said Tech. Sgt. Richard Vanwinkle, 21st SFS kennel master. "They get to experience an aspect of the job they won't see on an Air Force base."