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Two drug detection dogs are the stars of Sniffer Open Day on June 21, which was organized by Guangzhou Customs. (Photo by Xu Jianfei/For China Daily)

More than 600 residents, many with children in tow, turned out for Guangzhou Customs' Sniffer Open Day on June 21, where two drug-detection dogs became the undisputed stars of the event.

Held in the capital of Guangdong province, the open day combined education with entertainment, using interactive games and live demonstrations to teach families about drug prevention. Visitors watched the canines in action and learned how customs officers detect illicit substances at entry and exit checkpoints.

In one crowd-pleasing drill, a Labrador Retriever named Karl shot forward at his handler's command and began sniffing through dozens of suitcases. Within 10 seconds, he pinpointed a pre-hidden stash of drugs, sat down beside the correct container, and signaled his find.

Two drug detection dogs are the stars of Sniffer Open Day on June 21, which was organized by Guangzhou Customs. (Photo by Xu Jianfei/For China Daily)

In a second exercise, the host invited volunteers from the audience to pose as travelers pushing suitcases through a mock customs hall. Another Labrador, Lyle, weaved through the crowd with sharp focus and singled out the "drug trafficker" in under a minute. The dogs' precision and speed drew warm rounds of applause.

Karl and Lyle are seasoned pros in narcotics detection with more than six years of service.

According to a customs officer, drug detection dogs have been instrumental in recent anti-smuggling operations at Guangzhou's checkpoints, consistently locating drugs hidden in suitcases carried by passengers. In recent years, Guangzhou Customs has cracked 200 drug-smuggling cases with canine assistance, seizing over 180 kilograms of heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and other controlled substances.

Two drug detection dogs are the stars of Sniffer Open Day on June 21, which was organized by Guangzhou Customs. (Photo by Xu Jianfei/For China Daily)

The dogs have also helped uncover 31 cases involving endangered species products, leading to the confiscation of nearly 14 kg of ivory and other protected animal derivatives.

The anti-smuggling canine unit currently employs five staff members, who train and handle a team of seven dogs: four specialized in drug detection, one in firearms detection, one in endangered-species search, and one in riot control.

For local resident Li, who attended with her child, the event was eye-opening. "We saw firsthand how the dogs detect drugs and learned about the clever — but illegal — ways smugglers try to hide them," she said. "It broadened my child's understanding and taught us practical skills to stay alert. Most importantly, it reminded everyone how vital it is to reject drugs entirely."