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Worldwide
Canine Wall of Fame
"MIKO" Nacogdoches County Pct 4
Male Black Lab
Narcotics Detection Police Dog
BUST
20lbs Marijuana, 1
firearm
Photo:
Andrew Rogers
The Daily Sentinel
Deputy Rusty Allen and his 3-year-old
black Lab named Miko work on a training exercise to keep up
their skill in finding drugs, as well as bond with each
other, Thursday afternoon at the Nacogdoches County
sheriff's office. Miko can sniff out marijuana, cocaine,
methamphetamine and heroin.
Constable's office
gets a four-legged tool in the battle against illegal drugs
By
Keith Lansdale
Sentinel Staff
Man's best
friend is also a drug dealer's worst enemy.
The
Nacogdoches County Precinct 4 constable's office has new additions
to its team — Deputy Rusty Allen and his canine counterpart, a
3-year-old black Lab named Miko.
Allen and Miko
joined Constable Jason Bridges' office a few months ago, and they
have already made their presence known assisting in a recent
methamphetamine bust.
Bridges had
received a tip that drugs were headed to a residence in a FedEx
package, which was identified with the help of Miko, the drug dog.
"The narcotics
were taped up, placed in assorted electrical components and put
into the package," Bridges said. "The box was then wrapped in
numerous layers of tape in an attempt to mask the odor.
"Miko alerted
to the odor coming from the package, and after obtaining a search
warrant, several ounces of methamphetamine were found inside."
Miko can
identify marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin and has
assisted several agencies in the past.
Miko and Allen
have been working together for a year, just enough time to really
start to get into a groove together.
"Anyone who
has been a canine handler will tell you — you can't read your dog
for about a year," Allen said. "Jason's been a handler before, so
it helps to be able to ask him (for advice). He's fond of canines,
and he's had one in the past, so he knows they are a great tool to
have."
Learning to
work with a drug dog takes time, Allen said, and requires
specialized training.
"I went to
school at Worldwide Canine in Spring Branch and went through a
pretty extensive program," Allen said. "The program was to train
me: Miko was already trained. It was how the dog and I were first
acquainted."
Before Allen joined the Constable's office, he worked for the
Angelina County Sheriff's office.
"I told Jason
to let me know if he had an opening, and last summer he called
me," Allen said. "It's a big relief for me, because I live in
Nacogdoches so now, I'm able to work at home, and it's also just
an honor to work for Jason."
Miko and Allen
work and train together daily, an important practice for not only
keeping their skills sharp but, also for bonding together.
"He's a really
friendly dog; all he wants to do is play," Allen said as he was
pulled around several feet by Miko tugging on a chew toy attached
to a rope. "This is his reward, and he gets to play with it. It
also lets him know that 'dad' is proud of him."
"Miko will be
a valuable asset for us to continue in our efforts to reduce
narcotics in our precinct," Bridges said. "We are excited to have
both Miko and Rusty join us. They are welcome additions to our
department."
"I'm really
just getting started here and coming in on the ground floor,"
Allen said. "But I have high expectations for us and for the whole
department."
"MIKO" Angelina County Sheriff Office
Male Black Lab
Narcotics Detection Police Dog
BUST
Deputy Rusty Allen and Miko were asked to assist another agency
who had a suspicious package that was sent through Fed Ex. Miko
alerted on the package even though it was wrapped with several
layers of tape. A search warrant was issued for the package and
when it was opened officers located approximately 3 ounces of
methamphetamine that was wrapped in numerous layers of plastic
wrap and tape. The meth was concealed inside of different
electrical components and they too were wrapped in tape.
Rusty and MIKO
Angelina County Sheriff Office
Bust
6.5 lbs Marijuana
$3200.00 Cash
BUST
15 pounds of marijuana.
BUST
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