You’ve heard of dogs helping law enforcement officials investigate drug cases, and even kidnappings and murders, but have you heard of Gujarat’s own alcohol-detection dog?
Meet Adrev, the country’s first dog-squad member capable of literally sniffing out hidden liquor and brewing operations that might otherwise slip past human detection. With enforcing Gujarat’s prohibition laws posing a constant challenge, authorities are hopeful that Adrev — and potentially others like him — could be a fresh solution to an age-old problem.
A graduate of a nine-month programme at the Gujarat Police Dog School in Naroda, Adrev worked closely with Senior Dog Training Consultant Colonel Chandan Singh Rathore. Under the leadership of State Police Chief Vikas Sahay, who supported the innovative training initiative, the canine learned to detect not just alcohol, but the telltale signs of illegal brewing operations.
He didn’t have to wait long to prove his worth. In his first major case, Adrev led Bhaktinagar police officers to a surprising discovery in Rajkot’s Dhebar Colony. In an area already known for bootlegging, his sensitive nose picked up the scent of a cold fermentation operation hidden in a local home. By alerting his handlers using a combination of pawing and barking, he helped officers seize illegal brewing materials.
Adrev’s success could lead to more canine officers being trained specifically to work in liquor-related cases around the country.
His handlers say Adrev is as comfortable working in crowded urban areas as he is in more remote locations. Trained to search buildings, cars, and even open fields, he represents more than just a new law enforcement tool. He is a furry testament to Gujarat police’s innovative approach to combating the alcohol trade, and proof that — sometimes — the most advanced technology is a well-trained nose with four legs.