LANGKAWI: Kedah police need additional K9 (Dog Detection Unit) tracker dogs in Langkawi to further strengthen guarding and controlling gateways to the island in efforts to prevent criminal activities.
Its criminal investigation department (JSJ) head, Datuk G Suresh Kumar said that currently four tracker dogs were stationed at Langkawi’s K9 Section.
"We have 10 cages at Langkawi’s K9 Section, but only four tracker dogs. One of the dogs is assigned to detect explosives, another to drug-related cases and the other two to investigate other criminal cases involving the JSJ.
"Therefore, the leadership views having additional K9 dogs here, with the recommended addition to help in the detecting explosives and drugs," he told reporters when met at the Langkawi K9 Section on Wednesday (Jan 11), adding that their effectiveness would be very limited if only one tracker dog was handling the task.
"The K9 (unit) in Langkawi has been seen to be very effective since its establishment in April 2022 as many drug cases have been successfully solved.
"So, the addition is also necessary because if there is a case, it is quite difficult to get help from the mainland due to logistical problems," he said.
He also said that there were 11 K9 dogs in Kedah stationed in Langkawi, Kuala Muda and Bukit Kayu Hitam.
Earlier, Suresh presented a medal of appreciation to the K9 dog 'Black' for helping to solve two drug cases last year and also a certificate of appreciation for Black’s handler, Lance Corporal Johan Anak Jame.
Three other K9 dog handlers, namely Sergeant S. Pubalan, Corporal Suriya Eng Chuan and Lance Corporal Folinton Olinggang, also received certificates of appreciation. - Bernama
