An exceptional police dog named Hulk uncovered a staggering 48 tonnes of marijuana in a groundbreaking seizure. The discovery took place during a routine operation targeting gangs in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. While scouring favelas in the northern part of the city, Hulk detected something suspicious beneath an abandoned water tank.
Upon further investigation by an officer, a hidden bunker containing the entire stash of drugs was uncovered, as confirmed by Lt Col Luciano Pedro Barbosa, the commander of the Canine Operations Battalion. Praises for Hulk and the successful operation were shared on Instagram, with one commenter jokingly suggesting that Hulk deserves 48 tonnes of treats.
Barbosa revealed to AFP that this seizure marked Brazil’s largest drug bust in history, representing a substantial financial blow of nearly $10 million (£7.6 million) to the criminal organization involved. He emphasized that the achievement was solely attributed to the dog’s work, highlighting that it was not based on prior intelligence.
A statement from the military police indicated that it took a team of officers five hours to remove the drugs from the site, requiring the use of four trucks for transportation. During the operation, officers encountered resistance from gangs, leading to a confrontation and the apprehension of a suspected gunman.
The previous record for a drug seizure in Brazil was set in 2021 when authorities confiscated 36.5 tonnes in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. The police operation on Tuesday involved 250 military officers and resulted in the recovery of five rifles, four pistols, and 26 stolen vehicles.
Rio de Janeiro is known for being under the control of criminal factions that manage extensive drug trafficking networks. Police dogs are frequently deployed to detect and locate illicit substances. Notably, canine units have previously uncovered three tonnes of cocaine concealed within a shipment of bananas at the port of Gioia Tauro.
