14 May 2014

Detector dogs sniff out millions

8:14 pm on 14 May 2014

Detector dogs have found more than $2.5 million of concealed or undeclared cash, the largest find $390,000 at Auckland airport, the Customs Service says.

Detector dog Kane and his handler Senior Customs Officer Robert Gillanders.

Detector dog Kane and his handler Senior Customs Officer Robert Gillanders. Photo: Supplied

For 10 months, the labradors have been sniffing out travellers carrying more than $10,000 without declaring it.

Minister of Customs Nicky Wagner said it showed Customs could and would stop illegal cash movements.

The Customs Service said the largest find was at Auckland Airport in October, when a dog found $390,000 on two travellers.

Travellers carrying more than $10,000 must declare the money. If they did not they could have to forfeit the money and pay a fine, depending on the circumstances.

The cash detector pack recently grew to five dogs, with three in Auckland, one in Wellington, and one in Christchurch. They are also trained to detect drugs.

Auckland Airport chief customs officer Dave Huff said a lot of transnational crime syndicates operate through airports.

"Some of them carry it on their person, strapped to their bodies, some carry it inside suitcases," Mr Huff said.

"They types of hides are quite varied but at times it's quite obvious there are people going to significant lengths to conceal the cash."

People were often surprised or horrified when a detector dog identified them for investigation.