Former Border Patrol K-9 euthanized following battle with cancer

The U.S. Border Patrol said goodbye to one of its own Thursday as retired K-9 Drita was euthanized following a battle with cancer.

Several officers from not only the border patrol, but also the Marysville Police Department, St. Clair County Sheriff's Office and U.S. Customs and Border Protection arrived at the clinic to support Drita in her final moments.

Drita had worked as a U.S. Border Patrol K-9 from 2014 until her retirement in 2022, stationed in the agency's Marysville office.

Troy Vanpelt, special operation supervisor over strategic communication for the U.S. Border Patrol, said Drita was trained to detect narcotics, concealed humans and in tracking. During her career she seized $1.6 million worth of drugs.

"She will be missed," The U.S. Border Patrol said in a Facebook post announcing her death Friday.