Three British sniffer dogs are being deployed at the Bulgaria-Turkey border, one of the world's busiest land borders, to help combat Channel smuggling gangs. The dogs—Labrador Luna, springer spaniel Callie, and a springer-cocker spaniel mix named Sprocket—are trained by the National Crime Agency (NCA) to detect the rubber of dinghies used by people smugglers, which are often hidden in lorries.
The deployment builds on the success of Adele, a UK-trained German short-haired pointer who helped Bulgarian police intercept 48kg of cocaine at the border last week. Minister for Europe Stephen Doughty announced the new support during meetings in Sofia on Thursday with the newly formed Bulgarian government.
Mr Doughty said: “Our cooperation with Bulgaria is delivering real results, stopping threats long before they reach the UK. Last year alone, our joint work intercepted 91 boats, with the potential to transport thousands of people in dangerous journeys across the Channel.” He emphasised that building closer ties with the EU is a priority for the government, as stronger partnerships mean greater security and growth at home.
In addition to the dogs, the UK has provided drones to track illegal migrants crossing Bulgaria’s mountainous terrain and vehicle scanning equipment to uncover concealed contraband and trafficked people. Bulgaria, which joined the EU’s Schengen Area in 2025 alongside Romania, already seizes more small boats than any other country.
The NCA and Home Office International Operations work with partners including Europol, Bulgaria, Belgium, France and Germany to seize small boat equipment. Since early 2023, more than 1,000 boats and engines have been seized, with over 500 confiscated in 2025 alone. NCA Head of Region Kenny Dron said the deployment of these dogs will further increase the ability to disrupt criminal networks threatening both nations.
