On Punjab’s procurement list: six dogs to sniff drugs in jails

The source added that earlier the Punjab government had bought two sniffer dogs from central agencies. “Those two are deployed with the state excise department and have been able to detect cases of lahan.”

Written by Kanchan Vasdev

Chandigarh | Updated: October 14, 2025 12:50 PM IST

2 min read

This is not for the first time that the government is buying sniffer dogs. Earlier also, dogs were pressed into service by the jail department. (File)

The Punjab Cabinet Monday approved a decision to buy six sniffer dogs from Border Security Forces and (BSF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to be deployed in jails to prevent drug trafficking.

Sources said that labradors, trained by the central security agencies, usually cost Rs 2.5 lakh each. “We are buying these for Rs 15 lakh. The central security agencies train these labradors very well and it will be a great help in preventing drug trafficking,” said a source privy to the proposal.

A communique by the government said, “In order to curb criminal activities, prevent drug trafficking, increase the level of search of visitors and strengthen the overall security arrangements of prisons, the Cabinet gave exemption under Section 63(1) of the Punjab Transparency in Procurement Act, 2019 for purchasing sniffer dogs. Six sniffer dogs from BSF/CRPF will be purchased for the security needs of jails.”

Punjab Police Academy (PPA) in Phillaur has also been training sniffer dogs.

This is not for the first time that the government is buying sniffer dogs. Earlier also, dogs were pressed into service by the jail department, “Those dogs are trained to sniff out mobile phones, possessed illegally by the inmates of jails. Those dogs have been doing a commendable service,” said a source.

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