SYDNEY, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The Australian Federal Police (AFP) held a ceremony in Brisbane on Tuesday to announce the retirement of one of its most celebrated canine workers.

Louie, a nine-year-old black labrador, was a drug detection dog with the AFP, who had sniffed out over 20 million dollars (15.1 million U.S. dollars) of illicit drugs since 2009 and over 2.5 million dollars of counterfeit cash.

Australian Federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan presided over the ceremony and said that Louie was part of the AFP's team of "Very Good Dogs," who helped to ensure the safety of Australians by stopping the supply of drugs on the streets.

"Louie is one of the first dogs that joined cash and drug detection program in 2009 and he spent eight years protecting Brisbane Airport," Keenan said.

"In his career, Louie has prevented an enormous number of contraband from being transported around the country."

Keenan was quick to point out the capabilities of these dogs with their heightened abilities able to "detect the equivalent of one drop" of illicit substances in a swimming pool.

The minister said that dogs like Louie serve on the front line to protect all Australians.