by InTrieste
Interviews: Caterina de Gavardo, Trieste Councilor for Public Safety; Walter Milocchi, Commander of the Local Police
Trieste’s newly established police dog unit, introduced in May 2025, has already shown measurable results in combating drug-related offenses. The unit includes Conan, a 9-year-old Belgian Malinois trained as a narcotics detection dog, and his handler, a vice instructor previously stationed in Bibione.
In the first seven months of operation, the team participated in 180 active days and more than 1,000 hours of fieldwork. According to city officials, Conan’s interventions contributed to 108 drug seizures, representing roughly 85 percent of all seizures conducted by the local police during that period. The unit’s efforts also resulted in 46 arrests for drug trafficking and 81 citations for possession for personal use.
City Councillor for Security, Caterina de Gavardo, emphasized the preventive impact of the unit, noting that the dog’s presence alone serves as a deterrent in public spaces. “Conan and his handler represent a significant reinforcement of urban safety,” she said.
Police officials highlighted the unit’s prior collaborations with the Bibione command and its participation in coordinated operations with the Trieste Police Headquarters. Conan and his handler have worked together for nine years, certified under the SOKKS training program, which enables dogs to detect specific narcotics while ignoring unrelated odors.
The unit works closely with Trieste’s Special Interventions Division, focusing on both prevention and investigative support in drug enforcement efforts.
