Meet Maverick, Bosnia's only currency detection dog

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Bosnia's Border Police has 29 detection dogs helping them search for narcotics, explosives or humans, but only one who sniff out money. He is a Belgian shepherd, Maverick, Bosnia's only currency detection dog.

Maverick is the French Embassy's gift to Bosnia's Border Police. He was trained in France and today serves at the Mostar International Airport, southern Bosnia.

He is a mild-tempered yet well-trained dog, according to Leo Zovko, the dog handler. The training never ends.

“In order to make him fit, both physically and mentally,” he explained.

Maverick's job is to “check” the luggage of passengers that the police find suspicious.

“We know how much money one can take across the state border. If we suspect that there is more (than allowed) in bags or car, we hire Maverick. He doesn't know if it is ten Euros or more than 5,000 but he finds it, and then it is up to us to see the amount,” said Zovko, who built a special relationship with the dog.

Maverick and Leo met when the dog was 11-month-old and today they have a special connection that a detection dog and a dog handler should have.

“One should get connected with a dog he works with. Those who don't love dogs can't do this job. Maverick is a specific dog, he is socialised and makes strong connections,” said Zovko.

Bosnia's only currency detection dog was declared the best one of 30 dogs during the training in France, where he won a gold medal. He came to the Mostar Airport two years ago and will be serving with the Border Police for next eight years, until he completes a 10-year service.

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