Drug detection dog Quincy: hero in the fight against drugs at customs in Lörrach!

Drug detection dog Quincy: hero in the fight against drugs at customs in Lörrach!

The fight against drug crime in Germany receives animal support: drug detection dogs are indispensable helpers and do valuable work. A particularly successful representative of this genus is the main customs dog “Quincy”, which was recently recognized for its remarkable achievements. His colleague “Adi” is also drawing attention to himself through his successes.

“Quincy” from the Lörrach main customs office has already completed around 130 missions. He completed his training as a passive drug detection dog five years ago. In this role, he demonstrates his skills by staying on the object when locating drugs instead of actively barking or scratching—a modern training concept that has proven successful. “Quincy” has tracked down an impressive 300 kilograms of various narcotics in his career, including spectacular finds such as 3.6 kilograms of marijuana during a bus check in December 2024 and over 100 kilograms of marijuana hidden under a black-wrapped pallet in a truck reports SWR.

Colorful team at the main customs office

On another note, the German Shepherd “Adi” has already achieved an impressive number of 316 arrests and sniffed out around 100 kilograms of drugs in his career. “Adi” has been in service since 2015 and was honored for his achievements on behalf of the Bonn General Customs Directorate. His handler, Customs Chief Secretary Markus Laufnahme, took over the dog, whose full name is “Adolph vom Eichenwappen”, when he was one and a half years old and trained him for 18 months to become a protection and narcotics detection dog. “Adi” was also used to flying in a helicopter in order to be able to carry out missions with the federal police reveal the Stuttgarter Nachrichten.

A total of seven drug detection dogs are in use at the Lörrach main customs office, with “Rocky” being a small curiosity: He specializes in tobacco and cash. While the other dogs follow their specific training for narcotics, Rocky has his own talents that give him a special place in the squad.

An overview of drug detection dogs

Drug detection dogs, also known as drug or narcotics detection dogs, are used not only by customs but also by the police. There are an estimated 400 customs dogs in Germany. The training for these clever animals lasts between 4 and 6 months and is designed for up to five raw materials: cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, hashish/marijuana and amphetamines. During this time they learn to identify the smallest odor particles and signal them correctly The JuraForum reports knowledgeably.

The success of these loyal companions is also due to their extraordinary physiology: drug detection dogs have over 300 million olfactory receptors, while humans only have 6 million. This makes them fantastic sleuths who are not easily tricked.

Thanks to the tireless work of these four-legged investigators and their dog handlers, our everyday lives are becoming a little safer. Whether “Quincy”, “Adi” or the others in action – they all help to keep illegal drugs under control. A warm paw high five to our four-legged heroes!