Bend OSP troopers get new drug-detecting dog

Mar 06,2008 00:00 by Bend_Weekly_News_Sources

BEND, Ore. -- The Oregon State Police (OSP) added a sixth Drug Detection Canine assigned to the Patrol Services Division. "Lola", an 18-month old female yellow Labrador, will be working out of the OSP Bend Area Command office assisting law enforcement agencies in central Oregon and around the State.

Lola, a drug-detecting canine, joins the OSP troopers in the Bend Area Command Office - OSP photo

"The narcotics detection canines are trained to detect the odors from the controlled substances of Marijuana, Cocaine, Heroin and Methamphetamine. The dog's keen sense of smell is vastly superior to that of the human, and therefore is invaluable", said Sergeant Dave Beck, Drug Dog Detection Program Coordinator assigned in the OSP Patrol Services Division.

Lola's handler, Senior Trooper Jason Hansen, has been with the OSP Patrol Services Division for 9 years and at Bend Area Command office since 2001. After completing an 80-hour Basic Drug Detection Handler Course in Medford, Senior Trooper Hansen successfully completed a certification process.

According to Sergeant Beck, during the basic handler school training the canine teams are trained to conducted searches of vehicles, buildings, storage facilities, luggage, and various other environments and locations. Sergeant Beck has been working with dogs for over 17 years and was the handler of an OSP drug detection canine named "Beepers" who recently retired after 9 years of service.

"Lola is going to be a great asset to the Oregon State Police and will greatly assist not only our troopers but also other local agencies," said Hansen. Lola is joining four other drug detection canines currently working for Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, Prineville Police Department, and Redmond Police Department.

Drug detection dogs have proven to be an invaluable resource on and off the highway. Examples of some of the several success stories drug dogs have had working with their assigned handlers around the State, include:

* On March 4, 2008, an OSP trooper accompanied by a drug detection canine were involved in a traffic stop on Interstate 5 south of Woodburn that led to the discovery of approximately 44 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $400,000.
* On March 1, 2008, OSP troopers made a traffic stop on Interstate 5 north of Medford. With the help of an OSP drug detection canine, troopers found approximately 6 pounds of methamphetamine and 1.6 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $110,000.
* On October 19, 2007, OSP troopers were involved in a traffic stop of a sport utility vehicle northbound Interstate 5 near Woodburn. With the help of an OSP drug detection canine, approximately 45 pounds of cocaine and two pounds of crystal methamphetamine were found concealed in the vehicle worth about $500,000.
* On May 10, 2007, an OSP trooper stopped a passenger car with two occupants following a reckless driving complaint. With the help of a Klamath Falls Police Department drug detection canine, approximately 93 pounds of marijuana was found in the trunk.
* On May 8, 2007, an OSP trooper accompanied by a drug detection canine stopped a passenger car westbound on Interstate 84 in the Pendleton area. An OSP drug detection canine helped find approximately 171 pounds of marijuana.
* On June 4, 2006, an OSP trooper stopped a pickup on Interstate 5 north of Medford. An OSP drug detection canine helped find approximately 200 pounds of marijuana concealed behind the passenger compartment.