OFFICER TRAINED TO FIND DRUGS

Mitchell County has a new weapon in the fight against crime.

Jango, a two-year old Belgian Malinois, trained to sniff out drugs, people
and evidence has joined the Mitchell County Sheriff's Department. Deputy
Brandon Miller and Jango have both been through extensive training before
being put on the job. Jango was trained for eight months by trainer Eddie
Donavan at Tarheel Canine in Sanford, NC.

The dog has been trained to search out and alert on methamphetamines,
marijuana, cocaine and heroin. In addition to these narcotics, Jango is
also trained to track human scent and recover evidence such as guns or knives.

Miller and Jango have done demonstrations at Bowman Middle School and
Mitchell High School showing students the ability of Jango to sniff out drugs.

Miller went through two separate training seminars in order to handle the
dog. Jango was purchased by contributions made by various businesses,
churches and citizens in the community along with a carwash that the
Sheriff's Department held to raise funds. Sheriff Ken Fox estimated that
between the purchase of the dog and the training for Jango and Miller the
total expenditure for the K-9 unit is around $5,000.

Fox went on to say that the dog is being eased into duty. Along with doing
the demonstrations, Fox and his deputies have been selective in when to use
Jango.

"Right now we are only using it when we really need it. We don't cut him
loose on every car or home," said Fox.

The dog is insured through the county's insurance policy and is kept in a
private kennel when not in use. Fox and Miller both say that they have been
impressed with the success that the dog has had in finding evidence when
used. They also believe Jango can make a big impact in the quality of
searches once a search warrant is secured for a home or automobile.

Miller says in addition to the searches of homes and automobiles, Jango
will be asked to patrol Mitchell High School from time to time.