Generous Donation Adds Drug Dog to Oregon State Police

OSP's most experienced drug dog retires.

Brogan OSP's newest drug dog. Photo: Oregon State Police

(SALEM) - Oregon State Police Superintendent Timothy McLain on Monday, announced a generous donor's contribution, in memory of the donor's mother, provided the department another Drug Detection Canine to help in the effort to find illegal drugs along our highways and in our communities.

Assigned to the Patrol Services Division, the new drug dog and handler will be working out of The Dalles Area Command office joining four other drug dogs available to help public safety agencies throughout Oregon, and comes at a time when OSP's most-senior drug dog retired at the end of March.

Brogan, a 2-year old black Labrador, was purchased and trained through a $10,000 donation provided by Mr. John Winschel from Grants Pass.

Mr. Winschel gave the donation in honor of his mother, Anna Hood, who passed away within the last year.

Brogan underwent training in Washington provided by Master trainer Fred Helfers, assisted by trainers Christina Bunn and OSP Detective Dave Beck.

Following the initial training, Brogan and her handler, Trooper Scott Rector, completed a two-week Basic Handler School where they received training to conduct searches of vehicles, buildings, storage facilities, luggage, and various other environments and locations.

Brogan joins 4 other narcotics detection dogs working with OSP patrol troopers on Oregon highways and comes at a vital time when Beepers, our most experienced drug dog, retires," said Superintendent McLain. "OSP has used specially trained dogs with patrol troopers since 1989, and these dogs are currently assigned to handlers in Springfield, Salem, Central Point, The Dalles and Pendleton."

Within the last year, OSP welcomed another drug dog, Reggie, a 2-year old male black Labrador, teamed with his handler, Senior Trooper Joe Delgreco, at the OSP Salem Area Command office.

Detective Dave Beck, Drug Dog Detection Program Coordinator assigned in the OSP Drug Enforcement Section, explained the narcotics detection canines are trained to detect the odors from the controlled substances of Marijuana, Cocaine, Heroin and Methamphetamine.

"The dog's keen sense of smell is vastly superior to that of the human, and is invaluable", said Detective Beck, who has been working with dogs for over 17 years and is the handler of Beepers, an 11-year old male black Labrador, who is cooling his paws at the end of March after nine years with the Department.

Until nearly 3 years ago Beepers was OSP's only drug dog, traveling throughout Oregon assisting OSP and other Federal, State and local agencies during searches and operations.

Beepers has been an example of a drug dog's value while conducting over 900 searches during training and on-the-job application.

While ‘on duty', Beepers has tallied an impressive array of statistics by finding:

• Approximately $1.3 million in U.S. currency • Approximately 311 pounds of Marijuana • Approximately 31 pounds of Methamphetamine • Approximately 164 pounds of Cocaine • Approximately 4 pounds of Heroin

Several past cases have clearly demonstrated the value of drug detection dogs in helping discover illegal drugs on our highways and in our communities.

• On March 10th, 2006 an OSP Senior Trooper accompanied by his drug detection canine were on patrol eastbound on Interstate 84 near the Interstate 82 junction when he stopped a sport utility vehicle with two male occupants for a traffic violation. With the assistance of the dog during the stop, approximately 8 pounds of packaged marijuana was found in backpacks in the rear area of the vehicle.

• On January 14th, 2006 an OSP Senior Trooper accompanied by his drug detection canine were involved in a traffic stop with another Trooper and Sergeant on Interstate 5 northbound south of Medford for a traffic violation. With the assistance of the dog, approximately 8 1/2 pounds of crystal methamphetamine was found concealed inside the vehicle. Drug enforcement detectives estimated the drug seizure value between $90,000 and $100,000. In addition to the illegal drugs, troopers also seized nearly $12,000 in cash.

• On June 4th, 2006 an OSP Senior Trooper accompanied by his drug detection canine were involved in a traffic stop northbound on Interstate 5 north of Central Point. With the assistance of the dog, approximately 200 pounds of marijuana was found concealed behind the passenger compartment of the pickup.

• On July 3rd, 2006 an OSP Senior Trooper accompanied by his drug detection canine assisted an OSP Sergeant with a traffic stop northbound on Interstate 5 near Rogue River. With the assistance of the dog, approximately 9.5 pounds of marijuana and about $3,900 cash was found concealed in the trunk.

• On September 19th, 2006 an OSP Senior Trooper accompanied by his drug detection canine made a speed-related traffic stop in a construction zone northbound on Interstate 5 in the Salem area. With the assistance of the dog, approximately 13 ounces of marijuana, 6 ounces of Psilocybin mushrooms, 112 tablets of Ecstasy, 30 hits of LSD blotter paper, liquid LSD, and small amounts of Cocaine, Methamphetamine and Hash oil were found inside a safe. In addition, over $3,200 case was seized.