ABF drug detection dog, Whisky, retires after ‘lifetime’ career

Australian Border Force detection dog Whisky has received a guard of honour send-off from colleagues after eight years of service that included finding 250kg of cocaine.

Australian Border Force drug detection dog Whisky is handed over from ABF Detector Dog Team Leader Natalie Cross to new owner, ABF officer Mitchell Coomer, with a final farewell by airport workers Yuvie Habibi and Chanya Soontornvoradilok. Picture: Brendan Radke

A "firecracker" detection dog who helped seize 250 kilograms of cocaine has traded her Border Force harness for beach walks and family life.

After a lifetime of keeping our borders safe, Australian Border Force detection dog Whisky has started a new chapter as a family pet.

The eight-year-old Springador, was given a guard of honour by her Border Force colleagues on her final day of work at Cairns Airport.

Australian Border Force drug detection dog Whisky and her handler Natalie Cross get a guard of honour send off from her fellow ABF officers at the Cairns International Airport on Whisky's last day of work. Picture: Brendan Radke

Handler and ABF Detector Dog FNQ team leader Natalie Cross described Whisky as a joy to work with throughout the last three years.

“She has worked from Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and now for her retirement she’s finished with us in Cairns,” Ms Cross said.

“She’s a narc detector dog, she’s the last cannabis detector dog capability that we have nationally and we’ve had some amazing seizures together in Far North Queensland.”

Australian Border Force drug detection dog Whisky has retired from the force after eight years of commendable service, including finding 250 kilograms of cocaine on a vessel at the Port of Townsville. Australian Border Force officers farewell drug detection dog Whisky on her last day of work, with her handler, Detector Dog Team Leader Natalie Cross handing over the collar to new owner, ABF officer Mitchell Coomer. Picture: Brendan Radke

Among the highlights of her career was intercepting a large drug import in North Queensland.

“When she first got here, she was part of a seizure of 250 kilos of cocaine in a small craft found in Townsville,” Ms Cross said.

“She is a beautiful natured dog, she’s a little firecracker and she loves her job and does it so well, so it’s very sad to see her go.”

Upon her retirement this week, Whisky will join Border Force Officer Mitchell Coomer’s family.

Australian Border Force drug detection dog Whisky is handed over from ABF Detector Dog Team Leader Natalie Cross to new owner, ABF officer Mitchell Coomer. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We’ve worked together for a few years now, Whisky and I with Natalie … and I always really enjoyed my time working with her,” Mr Coomer said.

“We’ve bought all kinds of toys and everything for her, we’re gonna take her to the beach a lot, take her for walks every day, play fetch, all the games, we’re so excited to have her.”

The Australian Border Force Detection Dog Cairns Unit will receive Whisky’s replacement next month.

Originally published as ABF drug detection dog, Whisky, retires after ‘lifetime’ career