Police in Estonia’s Ida Prefecture arrested a 48-year-old man in Kohtla-Järve during the week before their 18 September announcement, suspecting him of illegal cannabis cultivation and repeat large-scale handling of narcotic or psychotropic substances.[1][2]

Officers had followed up a tip, linked the activity to a man previously convicted of drug offences, and searched his flat after securing a warrant.[1][2] Inside they found a tent holding 17 cannabis plants with lighting, ventilation and a humidifier, plus fertiliser, mushroom spores and a cannabis–tobacco mix.[1][2]

Prosecutor Sofja Hristoforova said the same man had been arrested in August 2025 for a similar offence and given three years and six months in prison, of which he served four months before the rest was suspended on four years’ probation.[1][2] Because he was still on probation, prosecutors asked the court to remand him in custody for at least two months while the new case is investigated.[1][2] The Viru district prosecutor’s office is leading the file with Ida Prefecture detectives.[1]