Criminal investigation officers in the village of Chernyayevo in Khabarovsk Krai’s Lazovsky district, the district known as rayon imeni Lazo, found and seized plant material with a strong smell while checking a 42-year-old local man’s household plot.[1] The material had been stored in his garage.[1] Forensic examination confirmed it was marijuana with a total weight of more than 2.1 kilograms.[1]

The man said that in autumn he found wild hemp growing in the forest, picked the leaves and carried them home, according to the press service of the Khabarovsk Krai Interior Ministry department.[1] He said he kept them for his own use, for medical reasons.[1]

The investigation department of the Russian Interior Ministry for Lazovsky district opened a criminal case under part 2 of article 228 of the Russian Criminal Code, the charge for acquiring and storing drugs without intent to sell in a large amount.[1] The maximum penalty under that part of the article is up to 10 years in prison.[1] The suspect was placed under a written undertaking not to leave his place of residence and to behave properly.[1] The cannabis was seized by police and is to be destroyed in line with the law.[1]