Peru’s National Police (PNP) destroyed 8,983 marijuana seedlings and seized six kilograms of the substance in a process of drying during an operation in Huaura province, Lima, the Interior Ministry (Mininter) reported.[1] The illegal plantation was discovered during a police intervention in the Llacas ravine, in the peasant community of Parán, Leoncio Prado district, where officers identified four cultivation plots covering 4,000 square metres.[2] The plants were between 80 centimetres and 1.20 metres tall.[1]

Police investigations link the illegal crops to the criminal organisation known as ‘Los Paisas de Huamboy’, and work continues to identify and establish the responsibility of those involved.[1] After the count and the extraction of samples, and in coordination with the Public Ministry, the agents burned the 8,983 plants at the site of the intervention.[2] Officers also seized six kilograms of marijuana being dried, known as ‘tipo paleta’, distributed in two strings inside a rudimentary structure of poles and plastic.[1] Four marijuana plants, one from each plot, were extracted for forensic analysis, and the samples and the seized drug were taken to a specialised unit.[1]

The operation was carried out by agents of the Brigada Especial contra el Crimen, part of the Criminal Investigation Division (Divincri) of the Lima Norte police region.[1]