The Nevada Highway Patrol’s six drug-sniffing dogs have during the past nine months found hundreds of pounds of narcotics and more than $2.5 million in cash.

Touting those results, the Highway Patrol went before the Legislative Interim Finance Committee this week to request permission to acquire eight more dogs — six for drug detection and two to search for bombs and explosive materials.

The committee on Thursday approved adding only three dogs to the team.

“It’s all at no cost to the taxpayer,” Jearld Hafen, director of the state Public Safety Department, said before the meeting.

Canine-related costs are paid with the seized money. The officers who handle the dogs receive an extra 5 percent, but are paid from the state highway fund, not the general fund.

The program was launched with $123,000 in donations and help from the Nevada Friends of K9s.

Of the six dogs now working for the department, four are in Las Vegas and two are in Reno. The three added dogs will be stationed in rural Nevada.

Gov. Jim Gibbons honored the canine officers for their accomplishments in a ceremony here Tuesday.

One dog located $1.6 million in cash in the Las Vegas Valley in the largest drug money seizure in Nevada history. Collectively they have uncovered 280 pounds of marijuana, 24.9 pounds of meth, 14.8 pounds of cocaine and 14.1 grams of heroin since December.

The dogs were kept in their vehicles during the ceremony out of fear they would knock over posters and sniff about looking for drugs. One was let out on a leash and Gibbons petted the dog.