Interest sparked in reviving the program in 1986, and the regional commissioner for the southern region gave the go ahead to a one-year pilot program. In January 1987, four Belgian Malinois were trained to detect concealed humans, heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine. Two of the dogs were sent to the Laredo sector, and the other two to the McAllen sector in Texas.

Photo Credit: Gerald L. Nino

Senior Patrol Agent John Nieves and his canine Kitt keep watch at the Indio Station checkpoint in the El Centro sector in California.

The program was an immediate success. By the end of the one-year period, the dogs had seized more than $150 million in narcotics and had detected numerous concealed people. The program went from pilot to operational and more dogs were trained. The Border Patrol currently has canine teams in 18 sectors at 69 border stations, and the program that started with four canine teams now has 335.

Border Patrol mission
Unlike most of our counterparts, the Border Patrol operates between ports of entry, across a wide variety of terrain. The standard working environment consists of a wide variety of terrain, often remote, but also includes a number of interior stations and checkpoints. The expectations placed on Border Patrol canine teams working in such varying conditions and situations demands a versatility unique to canine law enforcement.

Training
The Border Patrol trains European-bred German shepherds, Belgian Malinois, and Labrador retrievers. Dogs and handlers go through a rigorous 10-week training program. The dogs are trained to detect concealed people and narcotics. They train to detect people and drugs in vehicles, trains, airports, seaports, in large open areas, and at checkpoints. The dogs must also be able to function in the desert or in mountainous terrain, and under all types of weather conditions and temperatures.

This year the National Canine Facility (NCF) located in El Paso, Tex., will train more than 120 teams. After graduation, each team will be assigned to a duty station to provide support in our fight against smugglers.

BORSTAR
In January 2001, the San Diego, Calif. sector established the first Border Patrol canine search, trauma, and rescue (BORSTAR) program. BORSTAR agents and their canines play a critical role in locating agents, civilians, and illegal aliens in distress. They operate in dangerous terrain and bad weather where access by conventional means is difficult, if not impossible. The unique talents of the dogs to search and detect persons in areas of dense cover, with difficult accessibility, give rescue efforts the additional time crucial when providing emergent care.

The NCF takes great care to select the best dogs for BORSTAR teams. Dogs are selected based on character traits and general disposition. Working with a human partner and interacting with the public while demonstrating a drive to perform search and rescue activities are essential to the success of the canine team mission.

Advance training required for BORSTAR canine teams include rappelling, and helicopter and boat operations. The canines are also trained in various environments, such as snow, desert, pine forest, mountains, and swampland. BORSTAR canine teams are certified in Border Patrol tracking/trailing, obedience, search and rescue; and in the North American Police Dog Association tracking, obedience, and search and rescue techniques.

In 2001, BORSTAR canine teams tracked more than 132 undocumented aliens, rescued 25 undocumented aliens, and rescued one 4-year-old U.S. citizen. In 2002, the BORSTAR canine program had a record that was just as impressive as the year before.

There are currently four BORSTAR canine teams and the agency has plans to expand the program. The ultimate goal is to have a team in each sector.

Between fiscal years 1993 and 2002, Border Patrol canine teams found 244,965 concealed persons, seized 3,407,464 pounds of narcotics and other drugs worth more than $2.7 trillion, and seized more than $42 million in U.S. currency.

Retirement
Border Patrol canines have an average working life of six to eight years. The dogs usually work to the age of 10. At the end of his career, a hard-working Border Patrol canine will most likely go to live with his handler - where he can start a new life of searching for a ball or other toy, instead of people and narcotics.

Border Patrol canines and their handlers are indeed working on the front lines and meeting the CBP mission everyday.

This is the second in a four-part series to introduce the canines of Customs and Border Protection. Next month - the Customs canine program.