Savage is His Name, Drug-Busting his Game – K9 Dog Gets Special Medal in Cape Town

He might not look like an officer or have the expected name of one – just Savage, no surname – but one German Shepherd in the Cape Town K9 unit is getting special mention this month for helping locate R160,000 worth of illegal drugs.

The Sable German Shepherd, who has been with the Metro Police’s K9 Unit for almost three years, was singled out for special service medal today, after his performance sniffing out drugs in trees and underground, among other hiding places, over the last six months.

“Officer Savage is an asset to our efforts to curb the illicit drug trade, and we felt it appropriate to award him with a service medal in recognition of his efforts,”said Metro Police Chief Wayne Le Roux. “A number of our canines are new, so officer Savage is setting a wonderful example for the rest of the team,”

The K9 Unit has 25 canines, 20 of which are on active duty and specialising in the detection of narcotics, explosives and copper. Savage’s handler since he was a puppy is Constable Mosuli Faku.

In a statement announcing Savage’s award, it said that for the past six months he was responsible for arrests and the confiscation of cocaine, mandrax, tik, dagga, among other drugs, with a street value of R160,000.

In 186 operations over the past year, the K9 unit has made 156 arrests (two-thirds drug-related), confiscated more than 4.2 million units of drugs and R33,471 in cash, and have confiscated or recovered two vehicles, 5 firearms, and 86 rounds of ammunition.

“Over the years, drug dealers have become increasingly creative in hiding their wares, but our dogs are up to the task. They have enlightened their handlers with these finds, so now officers know how to adjust their search patterns when they conduct operations,” Le Roux said.