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Colombian Cartel Puts $70K Bounty On Drug-Sniffing Dog

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(CBS) -- A Colombian drug gang has out a $70,000 bounty on a police dog. Sombra or "Shadow" has sniffed out almost 10 tons of drugs in more than 300 operations. The K9's work has led to 245 arrests.

Sombra
Photo credit: Raul Arboleda/AFP/Getty Images

Intelligence sources say drug sniffing dog's record success has lead the Colombian cartel to put a 200m-peso ($70,000) price on its head, BBC News reports.

COLOMBIA-DRUGS-SNIFFING DOG
Colombian drug-sniffing dog Sombra (Shadow) is seen at El Dorado International airport in Bogota (Photo credit: Raul Arboleda/AFP/Getty Images)

The Urabeños gang responsible for the hit request is considered Colombia's most powerful criminal organization. Police have moved Sombra to ensure her safety.

The six-year-old German shepherd is now stationed at the Bogotá Airport, which is much safer than the gang's heartland, where she used to work with counter-narcotics forces.

Police say she is accompanied by her usual handler as well as extra officers to improve her safety during her deployments.

(TM and © Copyright 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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