AfriForum sniffer dog catches suspects off guard

On 12 August the AfriForum neighbourhood watch in Germiston on the East Rand of Gauteng, were on patrol with their sniffer dog, Storm, when she sniffed out hidden contraband.

Storm is specifically trained to sniff out narcotics. During a break in the patrol, the team entered a shop at a local fuel station to buy refreshments, when Storm indicated to her handler that two customers in the shop were hiding contraband.

On closer inspection it was found that the suspects were in possession of an unlicensed firearm, as well as narcotics.

One of the suspects fled the scene and was pursued by neighbourhood watch members but managed to escape. The other suspect was handed over to the SAPS and charged for the possession of narcotics and an unlicensed firearm.

“We are very proud of the dedication and vigilance displayed by our patrollers, both four-legged and two-legged. Sniffer dogs play an immense roll in multiplying our patrollers’ capabilities to timeously identify and apprehend suspects,” says Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s spokesperson for Community Safety.

AfriForum has more than 150 civilian safety structures countrywide and roughly 10 000 volunteers who play an active role in safeguarding their own communities.