MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Cocaine in Falklands: RAF Corporal and Air Dog Leo commended

RAF Corporal Kevin Carver and Air Dog Leo

RAF Corporal Kevin Carver and Air Dog Leo have received further recognition for their part in the discovery in the Falkland Islands of 30 kilos of cocaine on board the Spanish flagged fishing vessel Venturer last October 29.

At Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands Government Customs and Immigration senior officers presented Corporal Carver and Leo, with gifts in appreciation of their recent outstanding work with the Customs and Immigration Department. The Collector of Customs, Mr Robert King, who was absent from the Islands at the time of the presentation asked that his sincere thanks and appreciation of the excellent professional assistance they had provided to the Department be relayed to them on his behalf. The following day the department also presented the pair with a commendation on behalf of Government House in recognition of their contribution. The commendation noted that during their tour of duty in the Islands Cpl Carver and Leo were involved in numerous drugs sweeps of vessels in Falklands' water It was during one of these unannounced sweeps that together with a Customs team the 30 kilos of cocaine was discovered which is believed to have an estimated street value in excess of £1,000,000. Two crew members were subsequently arrested and charged with drugs offences. The commendation read: "Air Dog Leo and his handler Corporal Kevin Carver played a pivotal role in this outstanding detection. Not only was this the largest seizure of a Class 'A' drug in the Falkland Islands, the detection also prevented a large quantity of cocaine reaching street level. This detection is a testament of the first rate training conducted at the Defence Animal Centre and highlights the effectiveness of specialist search teams. It is doubtful whether this seizure would have taken place without the aid of Corporal Kevin Carver and Air Dog Leo."On behalf of both the Falkland Islands Government and the people of the Falkland Islands I would like to take this opportunity to thank both Corporal Kevin Carver and Air Dog Leo for their assistance, dedication to work and professionalism they displayed during their attachment to the Falkland Islands Customs and Immigration Department, who endeavour to ensure the wellbeing of the community and the protection of our society." Upon receiving his commendation, Corporal Carver stated he had thoroughly enjoyed working with Falkland Islands Customs officers and by nature of the wide variety of the operational tasks in which he had been involved, it had been one of the best work experiences of his career. He said that should any of his colleagues have a similar opportunity he would have no hesitation in recommending that they jump at the chance. (PN).-