Protecting the Nation -- One Sniff at a Time

"The philosophy is one dog, one type of odor, one type of response," said Herbert H. Herter, branch chief for canine enforcement with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, based at Newark Liberty International Airport. "A narcotic dog will only be a narcotic dog."

From October 2004 through mid-September, canines at Newark Airport discovered 240 pounds of hash, 345 pounds of cocaine, 8 pounds of heroin, $3,604,185 in undeclared cash, 873 plants and 432 pounds of meat, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection records.

Patrolling with Mr. Pickles

"Our primary mission is anti-terror," Herter said. "But our mission still is to identify and detect narcotics coming into the country also."

That mission extends to other substances as well. Take Lexi, a beagle-foxhound mix who patrols the international baggage claim area of Newark Liberty International Airport as an agriculture detector dog. Following a recent flight from Milan, Italy, she sniffed forbidden figs and apples stuffed in a suitcase -- all in just a few seconds while strolling around the baggage carousel and being admired by passengers and airport staff.

And then there's Mr. Pickles, a pit bull trained to detect narcotics. He works behind the scenes, dashing across luggage as it moves along a conveyor belt from incoming flights. When he detects the scent of synthetic cocaine used in his training, Mr. Pickles scratches and gnaws at the suitcase where it's hiding.

Dogs also work at the Port of Newark, checking cargo containers that come into the country. They can detect odors buried deep underneath other things and mixed among other scents. "The dog can smell into something provided it's porous," Herter said.

Pooches, Paperwork and Computers

Securing one of the largest container ports in the United States is no small task, and dogs complement the high-tech devices that monitor incoming containers, as well as regulations requiring documentation of what's inside.

The United States requires every container being shipped here to have paperwork provided to Customs and Border Protection 24 hours before it's loaded onto a ship in another port. The same rule applies to passenger lists on airplanes from other countries.

"We tell them if they don't have this paperwork in that we won't let them unlade it," said Customs and Border Protection spokesman William Anthony. "That is a powerful economic incentive for them to make sure that the paperwork is in."