Henry County, AL – A newly graduated drug detection dog from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) played a pivotal role in a significant drug bust just days after completing training. On March 18, K9 Rudi, along with his handler Deputy LaRose, successfully uncovered approximately 30 pounds of marijuana during a routine traffic stop on Highway 431, near County Road 212.
The stop involved a vehicle driven by 32-year-old Alfedan Akinlosoe of Atlanta, Georgia. According to the HCSO, K9 Rudi’s keen sense of smell led to the discovery of the drugs. Akinlosoe was arrested at the scene and charged with drug trafficking. He was subsequently booked into the Henry County Jail with a bond set at $150,000.
K9 Rudi, who graduated just three days earlier from a three-month training program at the Dothan Police Department, was part of a new class of drug-detection dogs alongside K9 Hamu. The duo, now part of the HCSO’s growing K9 unit, has already proven their worth in the fight against drug trafficking.
Sheriff Eric Blankenship expressed his pride in the K9 team’s swift success. “I would like to commend the work of our K9 team. These dogs are amazing; in their first week, they are already proving how valuable they will be to our agency,” Sheriff Blankenship said. “The Sheriff’s Pro-Active Drug Enforcement (S.P.A.D.E.) unit will continue to do everything we can to keep our streets drug-free and keep drugs out of the hands of our children.”
The HCSO’s K9 unit, which includes other trained dogs like Rudi and Hamu, plays a critical role in law enforcement efforts to combat drug trafficking in the area. With their enhanced detection capabilities, these teams are set to be a strong asset in the county’s ongoing efforts to maintain public safety and curb illegal drug activity.
