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AS the international scourges of terrorism, drugs and arms smuggling gather at an unprecedented pace, sniffer dogs will be invaluable assets to the kingdom’s safety.
The sophisticated noses of the dogs can detect drugs, explosives and weapons.
“The reality is that Bahrain takes border security and internal security very seriously,” said Customs Directorate advisor Clay Kerswell.
“The directorate is looking at ways to protect the country and this is one way of doing that.
“Given Bahrain’s geographical situation there are threats and obligations that the directorate needs to address.
“The Director General of Customs, Mohammed Ali Talib is the driving force behind this modernisation. It’s part and parcel of a whole process of being able to target dangerous transactions more effectively.”
Drugs are discovered with alarming frequency within the kingdom and recent discoveries of illegal weapons in Saudi Arabia mean that border security is necessarily tightening.
X-ray machines worth millions of dinars, capable of scanning huge vehicles will be installed at the Saudi Causeway inspection area as well as the Mina Salman port.
“Since 9/11 the pressure has been on for all countries to come up to standard,” added Mr Kerswell. “Bahrain is becoming a major trading hub and it’s very important that it improves its services.
“These security measures reflect the growth in trade. Dogs make the whole process of searching cargo much quicker and easier.”
On average, 10,700 vehicles pass over the causeway every day, and on weekends it can be as many as 16,000. Initially the dogs will be used to search cargo vehicles, expanding to passenger vehicles.
Abdul Razzaq Al Khaja, head of customs clearing at the King Fahad Causeway, said: “We need people to pass quickly and not to be delayed. We need the dogs to speed things up. In the Muslim region dogs aren’t well regarded. This is not to hurt Islam but to make our country secure.”
The men responsible for bringing Bahrain’s canine recruits to the kingdom are staff from UK-based security dog sniffer training and bomb dog detection unit, Top Dog Security.
Managing director Marcel Bonnefin has brought nine staff from the UK who over the next 12 months will train 18 customs officials to become dog handlers.
Between them Top Dog staff have 150 years experience, 30 of which is in arms and explosive detection in dangerous environments. They have worked in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo, and provided security for governments and royalty.
Their expertise is necessary in today’s climate.
“Due to the nature of terrorism, everything is changing,” said Mr Bonnefin. “Things are very different since the days of the IRA, so we’ve had to adapt.
“We’ve had years of dealing with terrorist threats but explosives have been detonated differently. Now we have people willing to give their lives. It’s a new game and we adapt accordingly.”
Top Dog staff have brought over three different types of sniffer dogs: explosive detection dogs, arms and explosive detection dogs and drug and weapons detection dogs.
“We train some of our dogs to recognise all sorts of explosives: C4, PE4, TNT, Semtex, glycerine-based dynamites, ammonia nitrate and detonating cords. Explosive searches have to be very precise. Dogs and humans aren’t infallible but used correctly alongside other agents and equipment are fantastic.
“To detect firearms, our dogs pick up the scent of cordite, the residue from a fired gun,” he said.
During their operations over the years, Top Dog staff and dogs have found weapons ranging from a single bullet to 50 calibre sniper rifles, rocket propelled grenades and hand held munitions.
The dogs are also trained to detect every kind of illlegal drug.
Paul Duke, a former Royal Army Veterinary Trainer and Top Dog’s project manager said: “In the UK our dogs are trained to detect heroin, cocaine, amphetamine, ecstasy and marijuana. Here we expect mostly opium-based drugs and hashish. Once we find out what is required we’ll train the dogs in other specific substances.”
The dogs will supplement profiling and intelligence leads.
Mohammed Shaheen who has been head of inspection on the causeway for 20 years said: “We rely on our officers’ knowledge and experience to pinpoint which trucks to target. We look at the driver’s nationality, age, where the supply comes from and the history of the merchandise. We’ve also trained our officers to read body language and eye movement.
“Over the years we have found weapons and drugs, mostly in small quantities. Very seldomly we find people being smuggled over, but one officer had a shock when he found a man hidden in the trunk of the car.”
The dogs – eight Springer Spaniels, two Collie Springer Spaniel crosses, one German Short-haired Pointer and one Labrador – are key assets in the fight against smuggling. They are now acclimatising to Bahrain’s heat.
“The dogs are very effective although the elements make it difficult,” said Mr Bonnefin, “While in the UK we would work them for 45 minutes at a time, here the heat will determine the length of time they will work. It will take two to three months for them to be totally comfortable with the heat,” he added.
Each dog costs £5,000 (BD3,759) and has undergone rigorous training.
“The dog breeds we use have generations of working history,” explained Mr Bonnefin. “The way we train them is through a play and reward game. During the selection process we find active dogs who want to play. We get the dog to retrieve a ball and then we hide it.
“We decide on the dog’s nose-capability and then we start to introduce a substance with the ball. Eventually we start taking the ball away and the dog will continue to show and interest in the substance.”
Top Dog intends to breed sniffer dogs in Bahrain, and also plan to bring more dogs from the UK. By the end of the month seven more canine recruits will arrive and by the end of the year there will be a total of 31.
New kennels complete with floatation tanks and pools for the dogs to cool off in are being built at the King Fahad Causeway inspection area.
Above the kennels, classrooms are being constructed where Bahrain’s new dog handlers will be taught.
“We need to get the local officers up and trained so that within one year we will have people with nine months experience,” said Mr Bonnefin. “Our intention is to expand. We have a three to five year plan which due to initial consultation would cover the airport, seaport and causeways.”
A number of Top Dog specialists will stay on in Bahrain as part of a long-term project, ensuring that Bahrain’s four-legged line of defence will help to ensure the kingdom’s safety.
