Sigal Chattah, Acting United States Attorney For The District Of Nevada. (Photo: www.justice.gov/usao-nv/meet-us-attorney
Nevada US Atty Sigal Chattah Reveals Harry Reid International Airport Does Not Use Narcotic Dogs for Drug Detection
‘You could be busted for bringing in a mango, but you bring in 10 lbs of fentanyl and you might not get caught’
By Megan Barth, August 12, 2025 3:39 pm
Last week, Sigal Chattah, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada and Special Counsel to the Attorney General, told Channel 8 news (KOLO) that she was surprised to learn that Harry Reid International Airport did not utilize drug sniffing canines to intercept drugs on the property.
Chattah said, “We don’t have narcotics dogs, so it has been essentially wide open for decades…there is no reason we shouldn’t be able to interdict large quantities of drugs through the airports.”
In a wide-ranging interview (see below), Chattah states that the airport only uses explosive-detecting dogs and agriculture dogs in their canine security operations.
“So you could be busted for bringing in a mango, but you bring in 10 lbs of fentanyl and you might not get caught,” Chattah said.
Chattah further revealed that Fentanyl and Meth are still large problems in the Las Vegas valley.
The airport, led by CEO Rosemary Vassiliadis, responded to Channel 8 news confirming that they only use explosive-detecting dogs.
The California Globe sent the following email to the Director for further clarification:
Good afternoon Director Vassiliadis,
I was made aware by the recent Channel 8 News’ interview with US Attorney Sigal Chattah that Harry Reid airport does not employ drug sniffing canines for airport and passenger security, but does employ explosive detecting canines.
The response you or your staff provided to Channel 8 does not address the question as to Why the airport does not utilize drug sniffing canines.
Can you please comment to answer that question and provide a policy, MOU, or any communications that either allows or prohibits the use of drug sniffing canines on the premises of Harry Reid airport?
I would appreciate and thank you in advance for your prompt reply in respect to the timeliness of this story and my deadline.
Megan Barth
Executive Editor
California Globe
Despite Democrat-led pushback against Chattah’s appointment, with claims of her being “unfit” and an “extremist,” President Donald Trump initially appointed Chattah as Interim U.S. Attorney and then extended her position for another 210 days as Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada through the use of the Vacancies Reform Act.
This is a developing story and will be updated with an anticipated reply from Harry Reid International Airport.
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Well, let’s use our canine resources to focus on safety in the airport and in the air. Yes, it’s important to address the drug poisoning of our country’s youth, but safety for air travel trumps that for the critical resources of specially trained dogs in airports. The amount of drugs transported by retail air passengers is minuscule compared to transport over land. So there’s your answer.
@Mnike, your response makes no sense. One type of detection dog does not negate the use of another detection type of dog. Thanks for trying to coverup pure incompetence.
Nice counter Swoosh.
Protect, you dont know anything about those highly trained dogs. They are very scarce resources and expensive. It’s a matter of allocating resources where they are most beneficial. Would it help to catch more individuals carrying drugs into Vegas – of course. But that is not the main entry point for drugs – it would make little difference in the drug trade into Vegas. There are other check points and methods for interdicting not just on dog sniffing at ingress or egress in any one airport (part of my prior background). The benefit of stopping any kind of terrorist attack is much higher. Thanks for trying to make a point when you dont understand the facts.
Not a coincidence that a Nevada airport lacks drug detection dogs. I suspect this airport is a major drug distribution center.
I’m wondering how many murders, drug related suicides, and overdoses on street drugs relate to this revelation.
For her attention to fundamental security issues may I suggest immediate appointment confirmation, then as a vacancy in leadership classification develops that she be considered.
The Trump Administration team is cleaning up this country of decades of neglect. Thank you Sigal Chattah.
Thank you to the Trump administration for making huge strides to make our law abiding US citizens safer. He’s a President who is FINALLy upholding laws. Thank you to Ms. Chattah for stepping up to the plate with courage. As a law abiding non-drug smuggling American, I am grateful every time I see trained dogs in airports. Not sure why any law abiding citizen would be opposed. TDS?