LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Eddie Zavala,

Laredo, TX (Webb County) — For the first time in its history, a canine from the Webb County Sheriff’s Office placed in the top 10 in a national canine detection competition. 

Canine (K-9) Brix and his handler, Deputy Luis Eduardo Agredano, placed 9^th for narcotic detection at the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association (NNDDA) competition in Amarillo, Texas.  Brix was the only representative from the Laredo/Webb County area to place in the top ten finalists. 

 “I am extremely proud of the many accomplishments of our personnel, including Brix and his handler, in achieving this historic distinction for the Webb County Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff Martin Cuellar. “It is through professional training and dedicated team work, such as the efforts of Brix and Deputy Agredano, that the Webb County Sheriff’s Office is able to provide enhanced law enforcement services to the Laredo and Webb County community.”   

  Over 115 canines from Texas and the United States competed, including teams from New York, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Louisiana, and Washington. Other participating agencies from South Texas included Laredo Police Department, Office of the Constable Pct. 4, and the United Independent School District Police Department. 

 The competition took place Friday, May 2, after a weeklong training.  Prior to the competition, the extensive training consisted of narcotics detection on school buses, 18-wheelers, airplanes, luggage, buildings, pitch black rooms, motor vehicles and outside open areas. 

  Born in 2009, Brix is a male Belgian Malinois.  Prior to his service with the Webb County Sheriff’s Office, Brix was stationed in Roma, Texas, where he served with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). On March 25, 2013, he was donated to the Webb County Sheriff’s Office.

  Next year’s National Narcotic Detector Dog Association (NNDDA) competition will be held in Tennessee.