A BLACK labrador called Shadow was yesterday credited for his role in Customs seizing almost four times the value of illegal drugs at Shannon airport last year than in 2007.
Aged six, a Revenue spokeswoman said Shadow was directly involved in 14 cannabis seizures at the airport last year.
According to figures supplied by Revenue, the street value of the drugs seized at Shannon was €411,487 in 2008 – almost four times the €105,880 worth of drugs seized at Shannon in 2007.
The manager of Revenue’s dog unit, Maria Ryan, yesterday paid tribute to Shadow and his 11 canine colleagues in the Customs detection team.
“Our detection dogs are a key element of the Customs enforcement effort. Since the inception of our canine programme in 2001, they have helped us to intercept vast quantities of drugs, cigarettes and currency.
“We also know that their very presence acts as a deterrent for potential smugglers. It’s not just Revenue but, I think it’s fair to say, the whole country owes a debt of gratitude to these dogs for their work in protecting our borders and keeping us safe.”
Revenue figures show €42 million in drugs was seized at the country’s airports and ports last year.
The largest hauls were made at Rosslare with €19 million in drugs seized; €13.2 million seized at Dublin port; and €8.2 million seized at Dublin airport.
The value of drugs seized at Cork airport was similar to Shannon at €411,375.
The Revenue spokeswoman explained: “Shannon airport has fewer flights of high-risk origin in comparison to Dublin, and Cork airport has very few ‘third- country’ flights.”
