In Crimea, police placed a 49-year-old resident of Nizhnegorsky district in custody on suspicion of supplying a large batch of marijuana.[1] According to the republic’s Interior Ministry, the man passed the drugs to an acquaintance.[1] Officers of the ministry’s drug-control directorate identified him in the course of further operational-search measures.[1] The ministry said results of a DNA examination of a previously seized batch of marijuana were among the grounds for concluding he was involved.[1]

During a search at the suspect’s place of residence, police seized 1.3 million roubles.[1] A criminal case was opened against the detainee under Part 4 of Article 228.1 of the Russian Criminal Code, which covers illegal production, sale or forwarding of narcotic drugs.[1] The provision carries a maximum punishment of 20 years’ imprisonment.[1] Investigators are continuing procedural actions with the suspect while establishing the circumstances of the supply and checking for other possible participants in the drug trafficking.[1]