Police in New York state said the drug sniffing dog responsible for a 700-pound marijuana seizure is retiring from law enforcement.
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The Cheektowaga Police Department said Iozo, a 9-year-old sniffer dog imported from Budapest, Hungary, is being prepared for retirement after serving with the department since May 2004, The Buffalo (N.Y.) News reported Monday.
Cheektowaga Police Capt. James Speyer said Iozo and his handler, Officer John Doskocz, held the most independent certifications for any area K-9 team, including the State Bureau of Municipal Police, the North American Police Work Dog Association, the Eastern Police Canine Association and the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association.
Speyer said Iozo was responsible for busts including the seizure of more than 695 pounds of marijuana from the Afro Dogs Motorcycle Club and the arrest of serial home invasion suspect Fabian Jones in March 2006.
Officials said Iozo will be removed from active duty as soon as his replacement, Wazi, completes training. Speyer said Iozo may be retained as a backup K-9 until his certification expires in May 2014.