On September 16, 2022, special training “Initial training of canine teams of divisions (sectors) of canine support of the State Customs Service” has been completed  by 12 canine teams, namely from Zakarpattia, Vinnytsia, Volyn, Chernivtsi and Sumy customs at the premises of the Department for Specialized Training and Canine Services of the State Customs Service (hereinafter − the Department).

The event was held thanks to the financial support of the U.S. Embassy within the framework of the Program on Export Control and Security of the Border in Ukraine (EXBS).

4-week training allowed сanine teams to master their basic level of knowledge, abilities and skills necessary for further effective professional activity in search of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and tobacco products during customs control.

Every effort has been made by the specialists of the Department to ensure that inspectors-canine handlers have not only been practiced to establish relationships with their four-legged friends, but also to identify hiding places in various search facilities during that period.

According to the results of the final exam all canine teams received appropriate certificates, which in turn provides the opportunity to promote canine teams to the procedure of customs control to search and detect objects and substances forbidden to move through the customs border of Ukraine.