Customs gets boost to border protection capacities through new canine programme

The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) is continuing to enhance its border security capabilities, this time with the introduction of its Canine Unit, a critical milestone in the agency’s ongoing mission to safeguard the nation’s borders and facilitate secure trade and travel.

The Canine Unit comprises 12 staff members and eight highly trained canines, each skilled in multiple disciplines. This new initiative is a crucial component of the JCA’s broader protection strategy to improve the detection of narcotics, explosives, munitions, and other restricted or prohibited goods at all major ports of entry.

After more than two weeks of intensive training between October and November, the staff members have successfully completed a rigorous programme designed to prepare both handlers and canines for real-world challenges. The training, led by Colombian dog trainers ‘Colonel (Ret) Chavez’ and ‘Señor Vente’, involved pairing each canine with its handler and covering a wide array of essential skills, from obstacle courses to advanced detection techniques and search methodologies. The culmination of this training was a graduation ceremony marking a significant achievement and signalling the readiness of the unit to enter its next phase.

The JCA is committed to expanding its resources and refining its capabilities to further strengthen the country’s border security infrastructure. This programme represents a major leap forward in the JCA’s ongoing efforts to detect and prevent the smuggling of illicit goods, ensuring that Jamaica remains a secure and welcoming environment for legitimate trade and travel.