In Blue Island, Illinois, Rocco, a 6-year-old Belgian Malinois K-9 officer, made a significant drug bust three months into his tenure with the local police department, discovering 498 pounds of marijuana, as the Chicago Tribune reported. This is the largest drug bust in the history of the community.
Rocco's handler, Officer Miles O’Brien, is a certified K-9 officer. The dog previously served under the Minnesota State Police, which retired him, according to the same Chicago Tribune article. Rocco is now regarded as a skilled narcotics and human scent detection expert for the Blue Island police force.
Rocco discovered the marijuana despite it being wrapped in odor-proof material, as per FOX 32 Chicago.
While marijuana is legal in Illinois, possession beyond the permissible 30-gram limit can lead to criminal charges. However, Rocco can discern distinctive THC chemicals rather than marijuana as a single compound, as highlighted by Officer O’Brien in the Chicago Tribune. This specific ability allows the dog to function within the law without infringing on the rights of individuals participating in lawful activities.
