TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Wednesday (Dec. 20) showcased its drug prevention program's accomplishments, highlighting the successful deterrent effect of its narcotics detection dog teams.
Since the enhancement of these teams in December last year with 18 additional dogs, regions across Taiwan, including the north, central, south, and east, have been able to request the services of these dogs for drug-sniffing operations within military camps.
Major General Chen Heng-wei, the head of the MND's legal and judicial department, noted that according to government regulations on the care and management of service dogs, the animals typically serve for four years with the possibility of an extension to seven years.
Since 2020, narcotics-detection canines have been active in the military's drug enforcement efforts. To date, three dogs have reached the end of their service term. One dog continues to serve, while the other two retired in October this year with replacements already trained and instituted.
The defense ministry continuously carries out drug interdiction operations in the military through methods such as mobilization, camp applications, and operational zone assignments, amounting to 467 drug-sniffing missions within military bases this year.
As of the end of November, approximately 1.13 million urine screenings have been conducted among military personnel, with all positive results leading to prosecutions, and those implicated have been removed from service following reviews.