Klamath Falls OSP Gets First Drug Dog

"Quincey" is a two-year old male Black Labrador Retriever. He and his handler recently completed an 80-hour Basic Drug Detection Handler Course and certification process before hitting the roads out of the Klamath Falls Area Command office of the Oregon State Police.

During his first month, Quincey was involved in a traffic stop and found more than 16 pounds of marijuana.

Drug detection dogs have proven to be an invaluable resource on and off the highway, according to OSP Sergeant David Beck, Drug Dog Detection Program Coordinator. Beck says since 2005 OSP drug dogs have been involved in the seizure of nearly 700 pounds of marijuana, more than 150 pounds of cocaine, almost 50 pounds of methamphetamine, and other drugs. Currency seizures have exceeded $2 million.

"The dog's keen sense of smell is vastly superior to that of the human, and therefore is invaluable", said Beck, who has been working with dogs for 18 years and was the handler of an OSP drug dog named "Beepers" who retired after 9 years of service. "They are trained to conducted searches of vehicles, buildings, storage facilities, luggage, and various other environments and locations."