New canine teams join DPS crime fighting efforts

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) today graduated three troopers and three canines from an eight-week training program. These canine teams will join 41 other DPS teams stationed throughout Texas, including six explosive-detection teams stationed in Austin.

“DPS canine teams make tremendous contributions to the department’s efforts to keep dangerous drugs out of Texas communities,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “With their specialized skill set and keen abilities to detect illicit drugs, these graduating troopers and dogs will be instrumental in disrupting drug trafficking operations across the state.”

Two of the dogs were obtained from the U.S. Department of Defense, and the third dog was from a shelter. This canine graduation class includes two German Shepherds and one Labrador. All the newly-trained dogs will be used for drug detection.

In 2014, DPS canine teams assisted in the seizure of approximately 15,600 pounds of marijuana, 293 pounds of cocaine, 52 pounds of heroin, 441 pounds of methamphetamine, 21 pounds of hashish, 72 pounds of other drugs and $5.4 million in cash.