U.S. Embassy donated more than
$97,000 to the police K-9 unit

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The Ministry of Justice reports that the U.S. embassy donated $197,489 to the police canine unit that has 38 dogs specialized in detecting drugs and explosives and tracking people.

According to the Ministry, there are four units in the country in the towns of San Rafael* in Alajuela, Pérez Zeledón* in the south, Puntarenas* on the Pacific coast and Pococí* in the Caribbean area.
 
Six of the canine agents, Wisky, Rosa, Shanna, Rex, Keysi and Kristel belong to the Canine Unit of the Penitentiary Police that operates the Perez Zeledon jail. They are specialists in the detection of drugs.

The Ministry says that the construction of the canine unit in Perez Zeledon started in January thanks to the donation of the U.S. Embassy and the work of the prisoners.

"This unit of police dogs, is one of the largest in the region.  Since we began functions we have made an approximate of 178 missions between a review of employees and revision of prisoners," said Víctor Prado, director of the Canine Unit of Pérez Zeledón.

"With the seizures of drugs to people entering the jail, it has been proven that they are allies to organized gangs dedicated to the transfer of drugs in the country's penal centers," said Marcia González, Minister of Justice.

In addition to the 38 police dogs, the Canine Unit includes 11 instructors; 26 guides and 7 more dogs in the training process.

Statistics of the Ministry show that, thanks to the work of police dogs, they have detected cases of people who have tried to enter the jails with drugs or prohibited devices, including 1,672 cases of people with marijuana, 490 cases of people with cocaine, 137 people with crack, and 410 people with cell phones, among others.

Related to the most recent donation of special equipment by U.S. Embassy to Costa Rican police, as A.M. Costa Rica reported on May 31, the Embassy donated a $100,000 Ford F-150 to the Judicial Investigation Organization.

The Vehicle Theft Section of the Judicial Investigation Organization received the donation of a modified Ford F-150 vehicle and other tools to combat crime in Costa Rica.

The director of the office for Counter-narcotics, Citizen Security and Justice (INL), Chris Harris, delivered the donation valued at $100,000 to Leonardo González representative of the Judicial Investigation Organization.

In May 2018, Ford company reported the Ford F-150 was classified as the most popular vehicle among active and retired members of the U.S. military service, according to an analysis of the ex-military and active military personnel who use the car-buying service of the United Services Automobile Association.

"This honor reflects the 41 years of Ford's unwavering commitment to quality, durability, and endurance with its F Series as the best-selling truck in the United States and the 36th as the best-selling vehicle in the United States," said Ford Company in its statement.

Jimmy Spears, an automotive analyst at USAA, says the Ford F-150 was the first purchase option in all branches of the United States Army.

"We are proud and honored that those who protect and defend our country choose the Ford F Series," said Todd Eckert, Ford truck marketing manager. "The high-strength, military-grade aluminum alloy body of the F-150 is designed to serve customers who are accustomed to working in the harshest environments and who rely on the capability, durability, and functionality consistently offered by the concept: Built Ford Tough.”

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What other type of donation could the U.S. Embassy give to the police dog unit? We would like to know your thoughts on this story.  Send your comments to: news@amcostarica.com