Nikko, a narcotics detection dog who sniffed out hundreds of pounds of illegal drugs on behalf of Portland police, has died. He was 9.

The Belgian Malinois police dog died Monday while battling an aggressive form of cancer, police said.

"Nikko was a big part of my personal and professional life," said Officer Scott Groshong, Nikko's handler. "He will be missed by all of us."

For the past seven years, Nikko worked with Groshong on the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Interdiction Team. He was a single-purpose narcotics detection dog trained to sniff out cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana.

In June 2008, Nikko joined the Portland Police Bureau and "quickly became a good match" with Groshong, according to a news release from the bureau.

In his seven years with the agency, Nikko was sent out more than 3,400 times and was key in helping police seize 215 pounds of cocaine, 246 pounds of methamphetamine, 86 pounds of heroin and 2,600 pounds of marijuana, altogether worth $39.7 million, according to Portland police.

Additionally, Nikko was named in more than 80 affidavits for helping sniff out drug-related proceeds exceeding $4.2 million.

No service or memorial has been planned.

-- Nuran Alteir

nalteir@oregonian.com

503-294-4028

@whatnuransaid