(Video) Customs' gun-sniffing detector dogs in action

Customs set up the first-ever detector dog team specializing in gun detection, which has been mobilized to cargo and mail stations since November. 

The team comprises four sub-teams, each formed by a dog handler and a Labrador Retriever, customs said, adding that the dogs have gone through a 10-week training before being deployed. 

Two dogs demonstrated searching for firearms at the customs Detector Dog Unit Base at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. The dogs, encouraged by the handlers, soon located the guns and ammunition among the boxes of goods. 

Joy Wong Sek-yan, deputy Head of Land Boundary Command of the Customs Canine Force, said Labrador Retrievers have a keen sense of smell and strong obedience, which help them sniff out the unique odor of firearms after specific training. 

Wong added that real guns are used in training for the dogs to recognize the odor of the firearms and familiarize themselves with them. 

Wong continued that the dogs are taught to recognize three odor sources, including the smell of the material like steel, the remaining gunpowder, and gun oil. However, air guns are not included in the training as there is no gunpowder. 

Before the dogs become firearm detectors, they must finish a 10-week training course and pass the assessment. They will work in shifts with about eight working hours in each shift. Customs stressed that they need not work continuously and have a break every 20 minutes, as advised by vets. 

As for the dog handlers, they cannot go overseas for training due to the pandemic. Therefore, their training was designed based on that of the drug detector dog team. Other content is also included, like how gun-sniffing works, commonly seen firearms, the structure of an ammunition cartridge, and other gun-related knowledge. 

Customs have busted 35 cases related to trafficking in firearms last year, where 550 gun components or parts were seized. Wong said the parts were primarily delivered to Hong Kong through airmail, and deploying the gun detector dogs can speed up the screening process of mass mail items. 

The new team will expand the dogs' abilities from Customs Canine Force to gun detection on top of searching for drugs, explosives, and cash.