Inuvik (Jun 02/06) - You may have seen a dog named Lasse walking around town last week, but this dog wasn't looking for attention - he was looking for drugs.

The six-year-old German Shepherd has been working for the RCMP in the Territories since 2005. He was accompanied in Inuvik by his handler, Cpl. Mark Hicks of Yellowknife.

RCMP dog handler Cpl. Mark Hicks demonstrates the searching prowess of Lasse, the search dog brought into Inuvik last week from Yellowknife. The crime-fighting duo was in town from Wednesday to Sunday and were involved in seven different drug busts. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

Hicks said the dog has been a very useful addition to policing in the North, with a number of drug-related busts in Yellowknife. It was Lasse's first time in Inuvik and within the first hour he had already seized more than his weight in drug money.

"We were in town for only 45 minutes before the first bust," said Hicks.

Working on an anonymous tip by a concerned member of the community, Hicks said a man was stopped at the Mike Zubko Airport for questioning.

"Lasse sniffed his luggage and a large amount of cash was found," said Hicks. The money had been double wrapped in plastic, but even the careful packaging did not deter the drug-hunting canine.

"The dog has been trained to pick up the scent of drugs, no matter how faint the source," said Hicks.

The amount of the money has not been determined yet, and has been sent to Yellowknife for investigation.

Staff Sgt. Sid Gray said the cash was a substantial grab for the detachment.

"There were thick stacks of $20 bills and $50 bills, too," said Gray.

Gray said the amount of the cash, along with the rest of Lasse's findings, will be released as soon as they are all processed in Yellowknife.

"They will dust the money for prints and find what trace amounts of drugs were found," said Gray.

The man who was apprehended at the airport has since been released from custody and will face charges in the future, he said.

The duo of Hicks and Lasse arrived on May 24 and departed on May 28.

Hicks said during their stay at the end of the Dempster, they managed to assist with six other drug-related incidents.

Hicks said Lasse is quite skilled in many fields, not just searching for drugs.

"He is a general duty dog, which means he can search for people and track criminals," said Hicks.

Lasse has been trained to sniff out nine different chemicals found in common drugs, which makes Hicks confident in the canine program in the North.

The program, which was initialized in Yellowknife last year, cost about $85,000 to start up.

That cost included acquiring the well-trained German Shepherd.

Annually, the program costs near $187,000, which includes Hicks' salary and services like vet bills and kennel costs.

Hicks said the program is aimed to gauge the need for dogs like Lasse in the North.

"Obviously Inuvik has a drug issue, and people will see that," said Hicks.

"We had to come here to see the extent of the issue. We were successful every day we were here, sometimes even more than once in a day," said Hicks of the busts made over the week.

Most residents were co-operative of the dog being in the community, said Hicks.

Inuvialuit Regional Corporation chair Nellie Cournoyea said the dog was well-received in the town and should be here more often.

"I totally support the use of the dog," said Cournoyea after a visit from Lasse and Hicks.

"I was given a background of the program and some other general information about the dog," she said. "This will get a strong message out to the community."

Mayor Peter Clarkson said the dog was supported by other leaders and administration in the town as well.

"The dog did great work," said Clarkson.

"Hopefully we will see more of it in town, because it adds a new element to the law enforcement here."