The police department’s newest rookie, a golden lab named Orvis, struck paydirt his first week on the job.
The drug-sniffing pooch (pictured with his partner, Detective Ted Forbes) led members of the narcotics unit to a hidden vent in a State Street apartment Friday. Inside they found $65,000 worth of heroin.
So announced Police Chief James Lewis Monday at a press conference marking the completion of state training for Orvis and his female partner in drug-detection, fellow golden lab Nia. The dogs hit the streets this past week, and immediately led officers to drugs and money on several busts.
Nia, for instance, helped her human partner, Detective Jodi Novella, discover marijuana in a dresser drawer. (The two are pictured.)
An East Rock neighborhood group called Sohu raised money for the new canine drug team. Sohu President Lisa Siedlarz presented the check to Chief Lewis Monday and got to pin Nia in return. (There was no actual pin involved. She draped a medallion around Nia’s neck.)