Hemp for 44,500 People: A Large Drug Plantation Was Discovered by Neighbors 0 1856

According to the indictment, the men cultivated hemp at the Valley estate in the Kose municipality from August 2023 until their arrest by the police in March of this year. Nearly 30 kilograms of cannabis and its flowers were discovered and seized, along with numerous growing equipment: heat lamps, phytolamps, ventilation systems, air filtration, irrigation, and fertilizers.

According to prosecutor Jakob Juksaar, who oversaw the operation, the scale of the plantation indicates the aim of generating criminal income. "The amount found and confiscated would be enough to cause intoxication in at least 44,500 people. This clearly demonstrates that the men's goal was to grow the substance for further sale and to enrich themselves at the expense of people's health," stated the prosecutor.

Juksaar added that both men were fined 10,000 euros as a substitute for confiscation of property. "Considering the duration of their activities and what was seen at the plantation, the men must have managed to gain income from the illegal sale of hemp during this time," he said.

The men were found guilty in a plea agreement. Meelis Pähna was sentenced to four and a half years in prison. Serafima Gerzuna was sentenced to five years in prison, of which nine months are to be served immediately. The remaining part of the sentence will not be enforced if the convicted person fulfills all requirements during the probation period, including completing a social program and being under behavioral control. Proceedings against the third suspect are ongoing.