Guangzhou Customs drug detection dogs wow crowd at open day

More than 600 residents, many with children in tow, turned out for Guangzhou Customs' Sniffer Open Day on Sunday, where two drug-detection dogs became the undisputed stars of the event.

Held in the capital of Guangdong province, the open day combined education with entertainment, using interactive games and live demonstrations to teach families about drug prevention. Visitors watched the canines in action and learned how customs officers detect illicit substances at entry and exit checkpoints.

In one crowd-pleasing drill, a Labrador Retriever named Karl shot forward at his handler's command and began sniffing through dozens of suitcases. Within 10 seconds, he pinpointed a pre-hidden stash of drugs, sat down beside the correct container, and signaled his find.