The first group of squirrels trained in China to detect drugs will be deployed in southwest Chongqing Municipality in a complex environment of places such as logistics warehouses and delivery stations.

The six anti-drug animals are Eurasian red squirrels, which have been recognized by relevant scientific research institutions for their drug searching abilities.

"Squirrels have a very good sense of smell. However, it was less mature for us to train rodents for drug searches in the past in terms of the technology," said Yin Jin, a handler with the police dog brigade of the Hechuan Public Security Bureau in Chongqing.

"Our self-developed training system can be applied to the training of various animals," Yin said, adding that the training has had good results as the squirrels can quickly identify drugs.

Unlike drug dogs, squirrels are small and agile, which makes them good at searching high places for drugs. 

The squirrels have also been trained to scratch to tell their handlers when drugs might be present.

(All images via VCG)

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