GOOOOD DOG, YOU'VE TAKEN $13M WORTH OF COCAINE OFF THE STREETS

What began as a routine training exercise for Billy the police drug
detection dog ended in the inadvertent seizure of $13 million worth of
cocaine yesterday.

Billy got a big pat, was told he was a "good boy" and was given a biscuit as
a reward from his handler, Sergeant Peter Ryan.

But the sergeant, one of four handlers with the NSW Police Dog Squad whose
labradors are employed exclusively in drug detection, did not know the
extent of the chance discovery until several hours after the find.

Sergeant Ryan had taken the three-year-old labrador to the Kennards Self
Storage complex in Pretoria Parade, Hornsby, just before 9am for training
exercises.

The dog has been fully trained since joining the Police Service 13 months
ago from the Victoria Guide Dogs breeding program, and Sergeant Ryan said
such exercises were designed to keep the dogs' minds active.

"When we are not on an operation, I keep his mind ticking over by taking him
to places we've never been like a rubbish tip," he said.

But yesterday's discovery was the last thing he expected.

Within 30 minutes of being put through his paces Billy came to a halt
alongside the orange roller doors of a rental unit inside the complex that
had not been part of the test. In keeping with his training there was no
excited barking to indicate a find. Billy simply lay down, began wagging his
tail and refused to budge.

Sergeant Ryan knew Billy had detected an unknown narcotic and contacted
Hornsby police. Within the hour detectives from the Crime Agencies Drugs
Task Force arrived with a warrant to search the unit. Only then did Sergeant
Ryan and Billy leave.

Drugs Task Force head, Superintendent Ken Mackay, confirmed late yesterday
that 24.4 kilograms of cocaine in bags had been found inside the storage
unit when it was opened, but refused to discuss how long it had been rented,
saying "investigations were continuing".

He praised the work of Sergeant Ryan, Billy, and the drug detection dog
unit. There has been criticism of the use of the dogs on marijuana growers
and suppliers in the Byron Bay area.

Superintendent Mackay said the discovery, one of the largest seizures of
cocaine by NSW police, would make a significant dent in the illicit drug
trade in Sydney, where dealers and users are experiencing severe shortages
and spiralling prices.

"You can spend several months on an operation and not come up with anything,
but just look what these dogs can do. They're certainly paying their way,"
he said.