Trained to alert on fentanyl odor, Maverick will help in the fight against drugs
information released
K9 Maverick’s recently joined the East Wenatchee Police Department (EWPD).
EWPD K9 Handler, Officer Jordan Conley and K9 Maverick graduated from a 6-week, 240-hour, Narcotic Detection Training put on by Terry Hartman, Washington State Department of Corrections K9 manager. Maverick is a 3-year-old German Shepherd who was donated to the program.
Our local community has donated more than $30,000 plus equipment & other materials over the last 7 months to get this program up and running. We anticipate Officer Conley and K9 Maverick will be utilized throughout the region. The East Wenatchee Police Department has not had a K9 program since 2011.
K9 Narcotics units are a tool for officers and deputies during investigations. They can assist in developing probable cause for a search warrant and can aid in the search once a search warrant has been obtained.
Due to new legislation and the re-classification of fentanyl, Maverick is one of the first 3 patrol assigned dogs in the state able to alert on fentanyl odor. Previously only K9 dogs working in a jail setting could be trained to alert on fentanyl. Maverick is also trained to alert on methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin.
In 2023 we averaged one overdose death every 12 days between Chelan and Douglas counties. In 2023 the Columbia River Drug Task Force seized 24,970 fentanyl pills, compared to 1500 fentanyl pills in 2020. Drug possession cases are now handled through our municipal court as the charge is a gross misdemeanor. We have met with city prosecutor; Kyle Hoffman and the plan is to try to motivate those facing possession charges to get involved with recovery programs.
If you are interested in supporting the EWPD K9 program you can contact Jillian Simmons at (509-884-9511) jsimmons@eastwenatcheewa.gov
