Palau Customs Expands Reach, Maintains Border Security Amid Changes to K-9 Program

By: Eustoria Marie Borja

Palau’s Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP) has long relied on its K-9 unit, established in 2002, to play a vital role in detecting drugs at the country’s major entry points. On August 30, 2024, the Customs Drug Detector Dog Unit, led by Officer-in-Charge Mayer Julius, held a demonstration for students from Airai Elementary, Koror Elementary, Ngaremlengui Elementary, and Palau High School. The event, organized in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and BANGO, aimed to educate the youth on the importance of the K-9 unit in ensuring Palau’s safety.

The BCBP K-9 unit, consisting of two specially trained dogs, Kendra and Red, operates in critical locations such as the post office, airport cargo areas, and containers at seaports. These canine officers, along with their handlers, are Palau’s frontline defense in detecting illegal drugs entering the country. The handlers ensure that the dogs receive optimal care, including proper nutrition, healthcare, and a balanced workload to prevent overexertion. A specialized K-9 van, equipped with air conditioning, helps to minimize the risk of heat stroke, a major concern given the dogs’ sensitivity to Palau’s tropical climate.

Challenges and Future Plans for Palau’s K-9 Units

Despite the continued operation of the BCBP’s K-9 unit, challenges arose following the dissolution of a related K-9 program under the Bureau of Public Safety (BPS) in 2022. Initially, the plan was to integrate K-9s provided to BPS through a joint effort between the U.S. Army, Department of Justice, and other key agencies. However, allegations of neglect led to the program’s dismantling, prompting BCBP to rethink its strategy.

Palau now has two separate K-9 units: one under the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection and another under the Bureau of Public Safety, specifically within the Division of Transnational Crime Unit. The BPS K-9 unit, while still operational, is severely understaffed, with only two handlers responsible for seven dogs – far below the staffing levels needed to operate effectively, as experienced BCBP handlers noted

To help lighten the load, BCBP has integrated one of the BPS dogs, Joker, into its operations. This arrangement allows for a rotation system where Kendra, Red, and Joker take turns performing tasks, minimizing the risk of exhaustion or health issues. Currently, BCBP uses only one of the seven BPS K-9s, Joker.

Since BCBP K-9s eventually retire after 7-8 years of service due to diminished effectiveness in drug detection, it is essential to purchase new K-9s. Each K-9 is worth approximately $30,000, which represents a significant investment necessary to support effective border security operations.

Re-establishing partnerships under the K-9 program with Customs and other key partners would allow these dogs to be redeployed to Palau’s borders, thereby relieving the burden on the current K-9 unit. This collaboration would improve the overall effectiveness of drug detection and border protection.

The BCBP says it remains committed to maintaining and expanding its K-9 program, recognizing the critical role these dogs play in protecting Palau’s borders from illegal drug trafficking. The unit’s outreach activities and continued investment in new K-9s demonstrate the agency’s commitment to both safety and education, ensuring that the next generation understands the importance of these canine officers in protecting their country.

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