SAMUT PRAKAN — In a significant boost to Thailand’s anti-drug efforts, the Australian Border Force (ABF) has donated two specialized Labrador Retriever detector dogs to the Thai Customs Department, marking another milestone in the two countries’ joint fight against drug trafficking.
The two dogs, named Viking and Paddy, were officially handed over in a ceremony on December 4 at the Customs K-9 Training Center in Samut Prakan Province. Commander Bjorn Roberts from the ABF Detector Dog Program and Superintendent Michael Cymbalista, ABF Counsellor Mekong, presided over the ceremony alongside Thai Customs officials.
The donation is part of the broader ABF-Thai Customs Detector Dog Cooperation project for 2024-2027, signed on September 25. As part of this initiative, two Thai Customs officers completed specialized training in Melbourne between September 16 and November 8, 2024.
Customs Director-General Theeraj Attanawanich emphasized the significance of this cooperation, citing recent successes in drug interdiction. In the current fiscal year, Thai Customs has already intercepted drugs in 40 cases valued at 77.94 million baht, alongside 199 cannabis seizures totaling 1,327 kilograms worth over 13.27 million baht.
“This donation strengthens our long-standing partnership with Australia in combating drug trafficking,” Attanawanich said. He also issued a timely warning to the public about increased smuggling risks during the upcoming holiday season, cautioning against accepting packages from strangers or falling for suspicious travel offers that could be linked to drug trafficking operations.
The new K-9 unit members are expected to enhance Thai Customs’ operational capabilities in detecting and preventing drug smuggling, reinforcing the security infrastructure of both nations. This collaboration represents the latest chapter in the ongoing bilateral cooperation between Australia and Thailand in border security and drug enforcement.
_______
