RCMP K9 fentanyl detection program gaining international attention

RCMP PSD Eve and her handler Cpl. Dan Block demonstrate her ability to search for and detect fentanyl on Tuesday, August 22, 2017.

In the first six months of this year Alberta Health Services (AHS) reported 241 fentanyl-related deaths, half of those recorded between April and June alone.

But RCMP are developing a way to sniff out the problem, and it’s capturing attention around the globe.

A new K9 Fentanyl Detection Program is being rolled out to RCMP Police Service Dog teams across Canada, and they believe they’re the first around the globe to find a safe way to do it.

“It was actually a simple solution to a very deadly problem,” said Staff Sgt. Gary Creed.

Creed is one of the lead trainers at the National Police Service Dog Training Centre just south of Innisfail. In partnership with the RCMP’s Clandestine Lab, they found a way to safely create a liquid fentanyl solution.

“It was just too dangerous to train with in the street form of powder fentanyl when we're talking how little could be harmful,” explained Creed.

The team has created a formula where a small amount of the powdered form of fentanyl is diluted in distilled water. The mixture then applied to cotton balls or make up pads which are used in training.

By using the liquid solution the Police Service Dogs can pick up the new scent without the worry of any airborne particles being released, which could lead to an accidental overdose.

“Now that they can detect fentanyl, they'll provide that positive sit confirmation where they won't aggress the hide, they won't pursue to the source,” said Inspector Akrum Ghadban of the National RCMP Police Dog Service.

At a demonstration Tuesday, RCMP proved just how effective the new training is.

Police Service Dog (PSD) Eve had her first and only training session in June, and quickly learned how to sniff out the deadly drug.

“It’s the same as teaching our dog to sit on marijuana as teaching the dog to sit on fentanyl. Of course the risks are higher, we have to make sure the environment for training is safer, but the process is very similar,” said Eve’s handler Cpl. Dan Block.

Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley was there to offer up kudos as well. “Police alone are not responsible for combatting the opioid crisis, but this initiative will save lives and likely already has,” she said.

Of the 136 narcotic dog teams across Canada, only one team is awaiting the new fentanyl training.

Officers say this new technique helps detect other strains, or analogues, of the fentanyl as well such as carfentanyl.

Those involved say the program is still in its infancy and they are working to refine it.

The RCMP adds they are being contacted by police agencies worldwide and are working to find a way to grow the program internationally.

“It’s something that we’re sharing because what we do is save lives… it’s something that we want out there in the world,” said Ghadban.