BOULDER — BUTTE — Montana has been facing a serious issue with Fentanyl in recent years, but a dedicated K-9 trooper is making significant strides in keeping the streets clean using only his keen sense of smell.
“He has greatly simplified our work. He is a valuable asset in locating narcotics. Throughout his six years of service, he has managed to seize over a thousand pounds of narcotics,” says Sergeant James Beck, a K-9 handler with the Montana Highway Patrol.
Sgt. Beck and his partner, a German Shepherd named Apollo, have been working together for six years. Apollo is one of three specially trained K-9s to detect fentanyl, and the only one in the state certified to sniff out fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana. Beck and Apollo are stationed in Butte.
“He is an invaluable resource. Since his certification in April, he has been responsible for several significant drug seizures. Just last week, he discovered over 30,000 pills,” explains Beck.
Beck mentions that starting a K-9 unit can cost between $15,000 to $20,000, covering necessary equipment but not the K-9 cruiser. Despite the initial expense, Beck believes it is a worthwhile investment as dogs like Apollo possess senses that surpass human capabilities.
“A dog’s sense of smell is about 40 times stronger than a human’s. They can detect odors that we cannot. Fentanyl has a distinct odor profile, which is what we train these dogs to identify,” Beck states.
According to the Montana Department of Justice, a specialized drug task force seized over 160,000 dosage units of fentanyl in Montana until March 2024. Montana state troopers confiscated 31,000 fentanyl pills, $89,000 in cash, approximately 87 pounds of meth, and nine firearms from January to June 2024. The state crime lab has reported 22 overdose deaths involving fentanyl this year, with the statewide total likely higher due to limited verification.
“When I began my career nine years ago, we dealt with a lot of methamphetamine and heroin. However, heroin started decreasing as fentanyl emerged around three to four years ago,” adds Beck.
Beck emphasizes that fentanyl is the predominant drug in Montana, often accompanied by meth when discovered. He explains that fentanyl is now being mixed into various forms beyond the traditional blue M-30 pills and has been found in products like ibuprofen and Advil.
“When it comes to street drugs, it’s crucial to be cautious. You may think you are taking one substance, but it could be something entirely different, leading to a fatal overdose. I urge people not to consume anything except what is prescribed by a doctor,” Beck cautions.
