A rookie LAPD K-9 on the force for less than a year has proven to be an invaluable asset in the fight against narcotics.
Bosco, a 2-year-old Dutch shepherd trained in narcotics detection, recently made a significant discovery in downtown Los Angeles during a joint operation between the LAPD and Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.
According to police officials, Bosco was called upon to assist in a search warrant at an undisclosed repair garage in central Los Angeles. The Ventura County investigators, in need of specialized assistance, recognized Bosco’s potential to uncover hidden contraband and deployed the canine into the field.
Upon entering the garage, investigators said that Bosco quickly honed in on an ordinary-looking soda vending machine.
LAPD Captain Lillian Carranza, who oversees the Gang and Narcotics Division, remarked on the size of the drug bust, saying, “There was a lot more than Coke in that soda machine.”
Law enforcement opened the machine and discovered 15 pounds of heroin, a kilogram of fentanyl and an assault-style rifle concealed within.
The LAPD has not divulged further details regarding the bust, as it is part of an ongoing investigation led by Ventura County sheriff’s detectives.
Carranza commended Bosco’s exceptional performance, noting that he joined the narcotics investigation team just six months ago.
“Bosco is amazing. This is his third deployment. He is finding everything,” said Carranza, who often posts images of her division’s canine standouts on social media. “When regular officers cannot find anything, he can perform miracles.”
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, such an amount of fentanyl has the potential to claim the lives of over 500,000 individuals.