Police Dog Uncovers $10 Million Marijuana Shipment Overnight
Undoubtedly, a dog is man’s best friend—except, of course, when it sniffs out your hidden stash of marijuana for the police. Late last week in Chicago, a large shipment of marijuana valued by experts at $10 million was seized thanks to a police dog named Jaida, who managed to identify the perpetrator.
A Major Bust
Although many police departments across America have recently stopped training new dogs to detect marijuana by scent, veteran four-legged officers continue to serve, still helping their colleagues catch smugglers. Last Thursday, the Chicago Police Department reported to the press that a truck was stopped on the outskirts of the city. The driver, a Texas resident, was transporting his illegal cargo from California.
According to local media, during a routine inspection of the truck, Jaida was able to detect the scent of marijuana, alerting the police to the contraband. As a result, about 1,500 pounds (approximately 680 kilograms) of marijuana were found in the truck’s cargo area, in the form of buds and plant oil extracts, along with paraphernalia for its use. Police believe the shipment was intended for an organized group of underground dealers operating throughout the Chicago area.
The driver was identified as 42-year-old Jason Tanner, a native of Lakehead, California. Local authorities have already charged him with transporting and attempting to distribute a particularly large quantity of narcotics.
Public Announcement and Legal Proceedings
On Tuesday, the Chicago Police Department informed the public about the incident, drawing attention to the department’s official Facebook page. The announcement regarding Tanner’s arrest stated:
“The Chicago Police Department was able to seize a particularly large shipment of narcotics last week during a routine inspection of a truck entering the city. K-9 unit dog Jaida detected a shipment of marijuana valued at $10 million by scent, which led to the arrest of the driver, California native Jason Tanner. Mr. Tanner is currently facing charges of transporting and attempting to distribute a particularly large quantity of narcotics, which he most likely obtained in California. On behalf of the precinct administration and the law-abiding community of our city, we thank the officers involved in the operation for their hard work.”
Last Friday, the county court ruled that Tanner could be released on bail set at $50,000. He is scheduled to appear before the federal court of Cook County on July 10.
Ongoing Investigation and Recognition
The Chicago Police Department has already contacted their colleagues in California to investigate the origin of such a large shipment of marijuana. As for the distinguished dog, Jaida has been awarded several weeks off duty as a reward for her service.