Police officers and military security officials eliminated a wild-cannabis site in Vostochny settlement in Oktyabrsky district of Amur Oblast.[1][2][3] The reports describe the plants as wild-growing cannabis rather than a planted crop.[1] The narcotic-containing plants covered one hectare.[1][4][2] Because the thickets covered a large area, armoured vehicles were brought in to destroy them, the Amur Oblast police said.[1][2]

The clearance was carried out during the preventive operation Priamurye without drugs.[1][2][3] It was the security forces’ second such outing that autumn.[1][3] In September, a similar operation near the village of Yekaterinoslavka mechanically destroyed three hectares of narcotic-containing vegetation.[1][5] The second account identifies the unit as drug-control officers of the Oktyabrsky intermunicipal police department acting jointly with military security officials.[4]

Police said heavy vehicles can treat large areas quickly and rule out regrowth because the plants are ground up together with their root systems.[1][2][3] The raids aim to deprive illegal plant-based drug production of its raw-material base and improve the district’s drug situation.[1]

Police told residents they can report places where wild cannabis grows to the local police desk or to their village administration.[2]