NORTH HILLS : Drug Hound Demonstrates Its Keen Senses

For show and tell, Detective Leo Stekkinger brought his partner, Magnum, to Monroe High School in North Hills.

Magnum sniffs out drugs, from marijuana to heroine, from warehouses and luggage. When he smells narcotics, he furiously scratches and bites his way to the substances.

His reward: a blue rubber ball and a good belly rub.

“He loves that ball,” Stekkinger said, explaining that Magnum, an 8-year-old golden retriever, has been trained to think that if he finds drugs, his favorite ball will magically appear.

Magnum was at the school Tuesday to show off his talents to ninth- and 10th-graders taking a class in forensic science.

“I didn’t think they’d be using that type of dog at all,” said Amy Messigian, 15, who watched Magnum sniff out real narcotics that port police officers planted throughout a classroom. “It’s kind of funny to see (golden retrievers) as tough dogs.”

Stekkinger, a port police detective in San Pedro, was accompanied by Al Rosario, also a port detective, for the demonstration.

“I have to maintain the security of the narcotics,” Rosario said.

Stekkinger and Rosario keep narcotics on them whenever they search for drugs, said Rosario, so that even if none are found, Magnum won’t be disappointed.

Program coordinator Lynda Schwarz said demonstrations like this are a regular part of the curriculum for students in the school’s law and government magnet program.

The students have also met with Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Gil Garcetti and learned how to conduct a DNA test.

“We’re not here to make lawyers,” Schwarz said. “They are here to understand the law and be a head above everyone.”

Lonnie Tang, the port’s director of commerce who also attended the demonstration, said, “This gives them a feel for evidence and procedure, forensic science, and it’s a good opportunity to actually see it.”