He might be a new detector dog but “Flame” is already a hero in the eyes of his new handlers.

On his first day at work, Flame the black Labrador sniffed out plastic bags of suspected methamphetamine and utensils suspected for drug use.

The Detector dog is in Samoa as part of the Pacific Detector Dog Programme (P.D.D.P.) managed by the New Zealand Police Dog Section and funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

A statement from the Ministry of Police said Flame detected drugs allegedly smuggled into the country by a man from American Samoa. 

 “A 37-year-old male was arrested by Police on Thursday, 2nd November 2017, at the Fagali’i International Airport on a late flight from American Samoa,” the Police confirmed.

 “The male is a returning citizen of Samoa."

“The suspect was detected at the airport by the police dog ‘Flame’ on his first day on the job."

 “During the search, the police seized the following, plastic bags of suspected methamphetamine and utensils suspected for drug use.” 

The statement adds the suspect is now being charged with possession of narcotics and police investigations are continuing with the possibility of additional charges.

Read more at Samoa Observer