Postal Service praises work of isle drug-sniffing deputy dogs

A Hawaii canine unit has received federal recognition for helping to sniff out illegal controlled substances sent through the mail.

The state Department of Public Safety says the two sheriff deputies and their deputy sheriff canines were recognized by the U.S. Postal Service for their work in a national operation earlier this year.

Deputy Sheriff Randall Silva and his dog Zorro, along with Deputy Sheriff Patrick Lewis and his dog Rico, were part of a team that screened more than 170,000 parcels into Hawaii and Guam, resulting in 36 arrests. They also recovered more than $726,000 in cash.