Police in Latgale seize record haul — 835 cannabis plants and 13 firearms
State Police detained four members of a criminal group and discovered two cultivation sites in Rēzekne and Madona Municipality. A record quantity of cannabis has been seized in the Latgale region this year.
Record cannabis haul seized in Latgale — four detained
State Police this week detained four members of a criminal group involved in the illegal distribution of narcotic substances on a large scale, reports bauskasdzive.lv. Following prolonged operational work by officials from the Criminal Police Bureau of the Latgale region, in cooperation with the Special Tasks Battalion, ten authorised searches were carried out on 3 and 4 June in Rēzekne, Rēzekne Municipality and Madona Municipality.
During the searches, two equipped cannabis cultivation facilities were discovered. In total, 835 cannabis plants were seized, approximately 24 kilograms of dried cannabis and specialised equipment intended for cultivation. State Police note that this is a record quantity of cannabis seized in the Latgale region this year.
In addition to narcotics, law enforcement officers found 13 firearms, approximately 100 various firearm components and €3,145 in cash. Police plan to place a seizure order on the confiscated funds.
Three men — born in 1975, 1977 and 1999 — were detained on 3 June, a fourth person the following day. State Police spokeswoman Jūlija Jurāne stated that officials will request the court to apply a security measure to two of the detainees involving deprivation of liberty.
Criminal proceedings were initiated under Article 256, Part 1 of the Criminal Law — for unauthorised sowing or cultivation of narcotic plants, which provides for deprivation of liberty of up to two years or an alternative penalty. Additionally, proceedings were initiated under Article 253, Part 2 — for unauthorised production, possession and transportation of narcotic substances by a group of persons following prior agreement or on a large scale. This offence provides for deprivation of liberty from three to ten years with possible confiscation of property and supervision by probation authorities for up to three years.
Pre-trial investigation is ongoing. State Police remind that no person is considered guilty until their guilt has been proved in the manner prescribed by law.
Source: Google News LV — Crime (lv)