WCO's First Regional Canine Forum Strengthens Customs Capacity to Combat Drug Trafficking

• Americas and the Caribbean Regional Canine Forum advanced standardized detector dog capabilities to reinforce Customs efforts to detect synthetic drugs.
• Interoperability and common approaches are critical for effective detection dog programmes in the fight against organized crime.
• The WCO's Synthetic Drugs Detection Project supports regional Customs administrations in strengthening their enforcement methods.

As synthetic drugs continue to reshape the global narcotics landscape, Customs administrations across the Americas and the Caribbean are enhancing their canine detection capabilities to identify and intercept illicit shipments of drugs moving through airports, seaports, land borders, and international mail facilities.

To address these evolving threats, the World Customs Organization (WCO), through its Synthetic Drugs Detection Project (SDDP), convened the First Americas and the Caribbean Regional Canine Forum in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 9 to 12 June 2026. The Forum brought together canine programme managers, supervisors, and technical experts to strengthen regional cooperation, promote common operational standards, and advance sustainable canine capabilities across the region.

A Shared Regional Approach

The Forum sought to establish a shared regional approach that supports interoperable, professional, and sustainable canine programmes capable of responding to the rapidly evolving synthetic drug threat.

Hosted by the Customs Administration of Argentina (ARCA), the Forum brought together representatives from Brazil, Canada, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru, and the United States. Approximately 30 canine programme managers, supervisors, and technical experts participated, creating an important platform for technical exchange, collaboration, and the advancement of common regional objectives.

Participants reviewed best practices in programme management, training methodologies, certification systems, quality assurance, operational deployment, breeding programmes, veterinary support, and performance evaluation. Discussions focused on promoting consistent standards while recognizing the operational realities and varying levels of programme maturity among Member administrations.

Partnerships Support Enforcement Capabilities

The Forum was organized under the WCO SDDP, with financial support provided by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the United States Department of State.

The event was hosted by ARCA, whose leadership and operational support provided an effective environment for regional experts to collaborate on improving Customs canine enforcement capabilities.

The partnership between the WCO, INL, and ARCA reflects a shared commitment to strengthening regional capacity to combat illicit synthetic drug trafficking through sustainable institutional development and operational excellence.

Building Regional Capacities

The Forum builds upon several years of regional capacity building activities implemented under the WCO SDDP. Since 2023, the SDDP has conducted national assessments, specialized training, operational mentoring, and technical assistance throughout the Americas and Caribbean. These activities have helped Customs administrations strengthen canine detection capabilities, programme management, instructor development, and operational deployment for synthetic drug detection.

As synthetic drugs continue to evolve in both composition and trafficking methods, maintaining highly capable detection dog teams has become increasingly important. Effective canine programmes depend on standardized training, objective performance evaluation, sound governance, and continuous quality assurance to maintain operational effectiveness.

By strengthening these foundational elements, Customs administrations are better positioned to detect emerging synthetic drugs while improving interoperability and cooperation across borders.

Forum Outcomes and Next Steps

A key achievement of the Forum was reinforcing the value of an interoperable approach to canine programme development across WCO's Members. Alignment on key aspects of canine programmes will ensure common operational standards and credible canine operations.

The Forum concluded with broad agreement on the importance of continuing regional cooperation to strengthen canine capabilities in response to the growing synthetic drug threat. These efforts aligned with the objectives of the WCO Canine Programme by promoting professionalization, sustainability, and internationally recognized best practices that enhance the effectiveness of Customs canine teams worldwide.

The Forum directly supported the WCO Strategic Objective of Protection of Society, particularly in the area of border security, by strengthening Customs canine detection capabilities in key source and transit regions, especially across the Americas and the Caribbean.

These outcomes contribute to the broader global effort to detect, disrupt and deter synthetic drug trafficking, while generating tangible regional impact through improved operational readiness, stronger interoperability among canine teams, and clearer priorities for future technical assistance, instructor development and sustained cooperation under the Synthetic Drugs Detection Project.

Through continued collaboration with Members and international partners, the WCO remains committed to advancing Customs canine detection capabilities as a critical component of global efforts to protect society from synthetic drug trafficking.