Officers of the interior ministry department for Belokalitvinsky District in Rostov Oblast detained a 72-year-old local resident while working on operational information.[1][2][3] They suspected him of using and unlawfully storing narcotic-containing plants.[4][2][3] During an inspection of his home, officers found and seized cannabis plants with a total weight of more than four kilograms.[1][2][3][5] An expert examination confirmed that the seized plants were a narcotic substance of plant origin.[1][3][5] The newspaper described the seizure as an absolute record for the year so far.[4]
The man told police that he had personally gathered the seeds of wild cannabis and cultivated the plants.[4][3] He said he had equipped a place for growing and drying marijuana and was cultivating cannabis on what the paper called an almost industrial scale.[4] He said he smoked the cannabis for medical purposes, to treat his bronchial asthma.[1][3] A criminal case was opened against him under part 2 of article 228 of the Criminal Code, which covers acquiring and storing narcotic drugs in large amounts without intent to sell.[1][3][5] Given his age, he was left under house arrest for the duration of the investigation.[4] The regional interior ministry said a measure of restraint in the form of house arrest had been chosen for him.[1][2][3] The court chose house arrest as his measure of restraint.[5]
