Printer-friendly VersionMonica Hoeg Customs Dog Handler
What do you do in the course of your day?
The Detector Dog Unit has currently got 15 drug and explosive detector dog teams nationwide who work alongside other Customs work groups and assist with various activities throughout the day. We have a scheduled roster which provides all handlers with some indication as to where each team will work on a daily basis.
When I am assigned to work at Wellington Airport, I will work in the international arrivals area with my drug detector dog, Macca to search arriving passengers, their carry-on hand luggage and any checked-in luggage they may have. There are occasions when we will board the aircraft once the passengers have disembarked and search all areas where prohibited drugs could be concealed.
Why use the dog?
The great thing about drug detector dogs is their ability to sniff out prohibited drugs even when smugglers have gone to great lengths to conceal them. They are one of many tools used by Customs to intercept drugs.
Dogs can search large quantities of freight and passengers with minimal intervention and can cover a large area much faster than a team of Customs Officers could physically search. Also their transportability and versatility to work in a variety of areas is invaluable.
Do the dog teams only check out passengers?
No, not only do we work at the Airport but also behind the scenes in areas such as the International Mail Centre in Auckland, container and cruise ships including small yachts, consignments of personal or commercial goods. Dog teams do board and search arriving commercial and private aircrafts.
What do you do if you find prohibited items and what happens to that person?
In relation to a passenger who has been indicated by a drug dog at the airport, they are taken to the Customs search area where another Customs officer will question and conduct searches to locate any prohibited drugs. What is located during the search will determine what action will be taken against the passenger. This can range from someone getting a formal warning by Police or arrested, to non-New Zealand nationals being deported by the Immigration Service. As for the dog, he or she will be rewarded with its favourite toy and lots of praise from the handler.
Any tips on how to do the right thing at the airport?
From Customs’ perspective, the best thing anyone could do is stay away from drugs. Our dogs’ ability to detect drug odours even when the drugs are no longer present is what gets most people searched by Customs.
Being aware of what you can and cannot bring back into New Zealand is important to avoid any disappointments from getting goods seized or attracting unexpected duty and GST charges.
Understanding and completing your Customs declaration correctly is crucial to avoid any unwanted delays and if you are unsure ask a Customs officer for clarification.
Did you know…
Most practicing Muslims do not have dogs as pets. Though dogs are not allowed for pets, they are allowed to be kept if used for work, such as guarding the house or farm, or when used for hunting purposes. Dogs were often portrayed in literature as symbols of highly esteemed virtues such as self-sacrifice and loyalty or on the other hand as an oppressive instrument in the hands of unjust rulers.
The Office of Ethnic Affairs is working towards providing Intercultural Awareness Training to Customs New Zealand recruits in July this year and will provide ongoing support to the diversity training of Customs staff. The Office of Ethnic Affairs is working across government to make front-line staff more responsive to ethnic communities.
Ethnic Whispers May 2010