Do not sow poppy and hemp

2 criminal cases and 13 administrative offense protocols — this is the result of the special program "Poppy", which was conducted in Pastavy region from June 1 to September 15.

The main objective of the program is to identify and destroy illegal plantations of drug-containing plants (poppy and hemp), to remove plant-based narcotic drugs from illegal circulation, as well as to conduct preventive measures and explanatory work among the population. To this end, employees of the district internal affairs department annually, with the onset of summer, pay close attention to citizens' household plots, meadows, and fields to prevent the growth of these plants, and bring those who sow them to justice. And although the owners of the plantations, as a rule, have to answer with the full severity of the law, sowers are still found.

— In August, on one of the household plots in the village of Yaskavichy, belonging to a resident of Minsk, we discovered 10 hemp bushes with a total weight of more than a kilogram, — said Senior Operative Officer of the Drug Control and Anti-Human Trafficking Group of the District Executive Committee's Internal Affairs Department Mikhail Khodan. — During the inspection of the house, almost 100 grams of marijuana, packaged in paper bags, were found. According to the detainee, he grew hemp for his own consumption, having purchased seeds from unknown individuals. Against the citizen, who a year ago was brought to criminal responsibility by the Frunzensky District Department of Internal Affairs of Minsk for illegal trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, two cases were immediately initiated — under Part 1 of Article 328 and Part 2 of Article 329 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus. He faces up to 5 years of restriction of liberty or imprisonment for a term of 3 to 7 years.

Police officers also identified 13 facts of illegal poppy cultivation, destroying 8.5 kilograms of this plant over a total area of 45 m2. It was grown in their gardens and flowerbeds in the city and district mainly by elderly citizens. Many did so to obtain seeds for baking, some simply liked the beautiful flower. Despite this, all of them received, albeit minimal, fines. And also warnings that if they sow poppy again, the fine amount will be many times higher.

Although the special program "Poppy" has been completed, work to identify illegal plantations of drug-containing plants continues. Therefore, advice for everyone: do not sow poppy and hemp, and if they suddenly grow, it is better to destroy the plants yourself. Otherwise, you will have to pay up to 20 basic units.

Alena Shapavalava,"Pastavy Krai" newspaper

Photo by Mikhail Khodan

Hemp plantations in the village of Yaskavichy