Greek Police Destroy Over 8,000 Illegal Cannabis Plants Hidden in Corn Farm

Greek authorities have destroyed more than 8,300 illegally cultivated cannabis plants discovered in a corn farm in central Greece, marking one of the largest seizures of its kind in the country.

Police reported on Friday that they uprooted approximately 1,300 cannabis plants, while an additional 7,000 plants were destroyed in situ. Some of the plants had grown as tall as 3.5 meters (138 inches), making removal difficult due to their intertwined roots with the corn crops.

The 44-year-old farm owner was arrested and now faces charges related to illegal cannabis cultivation and drug trafficking, with connections to a wider criminal network, according to a police official. Authorities estimate that the illegal operation, based on the number of plants, aimed to generate profits of around 15 million euros.

While Greece legalised cannabis for medical use in 2017 and removed restrictions on its cultivation and production in 2018, recreational use, production, and distribution remain illegal.

Cannabis remains the most widely consumed illegal drug globally, and according to the European Union Drugs Agency, much of the herbal cannabis found within the EU is cultivated locally. Recent police operations across the Western Balkans have led to a significant decline in cannabis seizures, indicating ongoing efforts to curb illegal production in the region.

(Source: Reuters)