Bordeaux Airport Dog: Meet Customs Sniffer Oko

January 2, 2026

Canine Units at Bordeaux Airport Combat Drug Trafficking

six highly trained labradors, including an eight-year-old named Oko, are crucial in the fight against narcotics at airports and along highways in the Gironde region of France.

• Dogs like Oko and Nino are specifically trained to detect cannabis, cocaine, and ecstasy.
• A recent operation in June saw the seizure of 344 kilograms of cannabis resin with the help of a canine unit.
• Customs officials partnered with ICI Gironde to showcase the daily routines of these essential teams.

The subtle scent of illicit substances doesn’t stand a chance against the powerful noses of France’s customs canine units.In Gironde, six labradors are on the front lines, meticulously trained to sniff out hidden drugs in luggage and cargo. Recently, ICI Gironde gained exclusive access to observe one such team – Oko, an eight-year-old labrador, and his handler, Lilian – during a typical morning shift at bordeaux-Mérignac Airport.

Oko, a key member of the customs brigade

A Record Seizure Highlights Canine Unit Success

The effectiveness of these canine teams was dramatically illustrated this past June. ICI Gironde reported on a significant drug bust where 344 kilograms of cannabis resin were discovered hidden within a truck traveling on the A63 highway south of Bordeaux. The successful seizure was credited to Nino, another skilled labrador within the Gironde customs canine unit.

Did you know?– A dog’s sense of smell is estimated to be 10,000 to 100,000 times more acute than a human’s. This allows them to detect even trace amounts of narcotics.

A Day in the Life of a Customs Canine Team

Driven by a desire to understand the daily operations of these specialized teams, ICI Gironde embedded with Lilian and Oko at Bordeaux airport. The goal was to observe firsthand how these dedicated professionals work to safeguard the region from illegal drug trafficking.

Why are these dogs used? French customs employs canine units to combat the increasing flow of illegal narcotics into the country. Who is involved? The Gironde region utilizes six labradors, including Oko and Nino, alongside their handlers from the customs service. what do they do? These dogs are trained to detect cannabis, cocaine, and ecstasy hidden in luggage, cargo, and vehicles. How did the recent operation end? In June, Nino successfully identified 344 kilograms of cannabis resin hidden in a truck on the A63 highway, leading to its seizure by authorities. The operation effectively disrupted a significant drug smuggling attempt.

Pro tip– Canine units frequently enough work in tandem with other customs enforcement methods, such as X-ray scans and passenger profiling, to maximize detection rates.

These dogs aren’t just randomly sniffing around.They are specifically trained to detect the presence of drugs in luggage at airports or concealed within vehicles on major roadways. Their keen sense of smell and unwavering focus make them invaluable assets in the ongoing battle against drug smuggling.