Sakha republic police found 8.5 kilograms of marijuana in the possession of a 16-year-old boy after receiving a tip that a village resident was harvesting the plant.
When officers found the culprit in the village of Markh in the far eastern republic, they were surprised to learn that he was a teenager, Sakha police said Wednesday in a statement on their website.
The boy told the officers that he was collecting the "herb" for personal use, the statement said.
But officers later found 8.5 kilograms of the dried plant that the teen had collected on the roof of a garage, leading them to believe the boy had been planning to sell it.
The 16-year-old faces charges of large-scale drug-trafficking, an offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
The investigation is ongoing, police said.
Related articles:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
