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K9s sniff out contraband at Denver jail

Posted at 6:36 PM, Jul 06, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-06 21:03:36-04

DENVER -- Contraband is a problem in county jails in Colorado and across the country, but a new four-legged tool at the Denver jail ail is keeping those drugs outside.

The use of K9s comes after prior problems with drugs at the detention center, including a 2016 incident where five inmates overdosed on suspected crack cocaine.

“The problem we have as a city jail is that we cannot strip search someone until they've seen a judge. So, it's conceivable that someone could bring someone in,” said Denver Sheriff Department Spokesperson Simon Crittle.

Crittle says following the overdosing incident, the department recognized the need to have more drug dogs. Each day, the two dogs -- Koda and Kuko -- patrol the jail.

“If we have probable cause, we can strip search that person,” said Crittle.

Several drug arrests within the county jail have been made since the addition of Koda and Kuko to the department.