The work of the Dog Training Center of the Main Customs Administration at Chinggis Khaan International Airport continues without interruption. This was reported by MiddleAsianNews.
Since its establishment in 1993, the center has had 53 dogs at its disposal. Of these, six serve at the international airport, checking passenger luggage and helping to protect Mongolia's borders from drugs and psychotropic substances.
According to Naranbadrah Boldbaatar, the head of the Dog Training Center, service dogs, mainly of the Malinois, German Shepherd, and Labrador Retriever breeds, play a key role in detecting drugs at the air border. He noted that with their help, 30-40% of narcotic and psychotropic substances are discovered. He also added that Malinois can recognize up to 7,000 different scents, indicating their high level of olfactory ability compared to humans.
The center's team pointed out some limitations: the average lifespan of a service dog is about 12 years, and their active working period is about 8 years. In light of the constant increase in the number of international flights, officials emphasize the need for more search dogs to ensure round-the-clock customs control.
Baasandorj Gankhuyag, the head of customs at Chinggis Khaan International Airport, called for the implementation of breeding programs for service dogs to increase their numbers. He emphasized that using pairs of dogs to inspect passengers and cargo could significantly speed up the inspection process.
Bayar Aarbayasgalan, the chairman of the city council and the Capital Crime Prevention Coordination Sub-Council, noted that this year the focus will be on combating illegal drug trafficking. He mentioned cooperation with South Korea to improve the quality of service dogs capable of detecting drugs, with the aim of preventing the importation of banned substances into Ulaanbaatar.
