Maranhão Civil Police located and destroyed about 45,000 cannabis plants during an operation on Thursday 5 November 2026 in the rural zone of Turiaçu, on the state’s western coast.[1][2][3] No arrests were reported in the operation.[4] Police said investigations are continuing to identify and criminally hold responsible those involved and to find other possible growing areas.[5][3]
Officers found three large plantations in an area between the villages of Tatajubinha, Guananim and Tipizal, totalling about 45,000 plants.[4][3] The approximately 45,000 plants were destroyed by burning at the site.[5][3] Police described it as the largest cannabis-crop eradication operation ever carried out in the municipality’s history.[5][3]
The case began when the Turiaçu police station team identified signs of illegal cultivation in the region.[5] With support from the Tactical Air Center (CTA), an overflight confirmed the crops and helped locate the areas for the ground operation.[5] The operation was coordinated by the Turiaçu Civil Police station.[5] The work had support from the Tactical Air Center (CTA), the Turiaçu Municipal Civil Guard and the Military Police of Governador Nunes Freire.[5]
