One of Colombia’s biggest drug gangs is offering the equivalent of £53,000 for anyone who kills a police dog after it sniffed out 10 tonnes (10000 kilogrammes) of their cocaine earlier this year.
The German Shepherd –Sombra – has also assisted the police in arresting 245 suspected drug barons/traffickers in the last few years.
Targeting Sombra, which means Shadow in English, are the Urabeños, believed by many to be that country’s most powerful criminal organisation.
The leader of the Urabeños, Dairo Antonio Úsuga also known as Otoniel, is one of Colombia’s most wanted men.
The police have ,consequently, moved the sniffer dog from its duty post in the Urabeños heartland to the country’s main airport which is outside the area of the gang’s influence.
“The fact they want to hurt Sombra and offer such a high reward for her capture or death shows the impact she’s had on their profits,” a police spokesperson said.
Apart from its usual handler, Sombra is now accompanied by extra officers to increase its protection.
Colombia is one of the world’s leading producers of cocaine, with an output of around 910 tonnes per year, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.