For Immediate Release: June 8, 2010
Contact: Lt. William Stidham (419) 422-6477  

Patrol mourning loss of drug-detecting K9 Hans
K9 seized largest amount of psilocybin mushrooms and had largest single cash seizure

COLUMBUS - The Ohio State Highway Patrol is mourning the loss of one of their successful and dedicated drug-detecting canines, Hans, who had been with the Patrol since May 2001. K9 Hans passed away on June 3, 2011, following a brief illness.

K9 Hans, born in the Netherlands in 1999, was trained and certified in the detection of marijuana, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and their derivatives. He was certified in narcotics detection by both the Ohio Peace Office Training Council and the North American Police Work Dog Association. K9 Hans and his handler, Tpr. Al Romero, were not only utilized by the Patrol, but by other various federal and local law enforcement agencies upon request. In 2003 K9 Hans was awarded the Recognition Award for Meritorious Service from the American Police Hall of Fame.

K9 Hans currently holds two Ohio State Highway Patrol records. He detected the largest amount of psilocybin mushrooms - 23 pounds – and the largest cash seizure of $1,032,980, both from single traffic stops. During K9 Hans’ tenure with the Patrol he was responsible for having seized $59,686,829.00 in total assets. The following is an overview of K9 Hans’ work:

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