Officers of the Salsk linear department of the Russian Interior Ministry on transport detained a previously convicted 67-year-old resident of Salsk during the interdepartmental operation Mak-2026.[1] Mak-2026 is an interdepartmental complex preventive operation aimed at stopping the spread of plant-origin drugs.[1] During the operation, transport police working with a handler and a service dog found green plant material on a metal sieve at the suspect’s residence.[1] An expert examination identified the seized material as cannabis, or marijuana, with a total weight of about 200 grams.[1]

According to preliminary information, the man grew wild cannabis on his household plot, gathered parts of the plants, then dried and ground them for personal use without intent to sell.[1]

Investigators of the same Salsk transport police unit opened a criminal case under Part 2 of Article 228 of the Russian Criminal Code for unlawful acquisition and storage of drugs without intent to sell in a large amount.[1] The provision as charged carries a maximum penalty of up to ten years’ imprisonment.[1] The suspect was placed under the procedural measure of an obligation to appear.[1]