Special to Iredell Free News

Groot, a German Shorthaired Pointer, has joined the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Canine Unit and will be assigned to the Interstate Criminal Enforcement Team once he completes his training.

Deputy Matt Talbert will handle Groot, who is 15 months old.

Groot will be fully trained and certified in narcotics detection. He will be one of the first canines in North Carolina to be trained to detect fentanyl. He will also be trained in tracking and article detection, which are critical skills for finding a missing person and in cases where deputies need help detecting and locating evidence at crime scenes.

The Interstate Criminal Enforcement Team handles a variety of criminal offenses, ranging from driving while impaired, to fugitives from justice in transit, narcotics, currency trafficking, and all other types of illegal activity arising from traffic stops.