Authorities in Havana dismantled an operation involving the cultivation, processing, consumption, and alleged sale of marijuana in a residence located in the Cerro municipality. The police arrested eight individuals during this operation, which was prompted by local residents who reported suspicious activities within the private home, according to the pro-government Facebook page, El Cubano Fiel.
Upon intervention, law enforcement discovered numerous pots containing marijuana plants, along with processed cannabis ready for use. Additionally, equipment related to the drug's processing and consumption was seized, suggesting not only cultivation but also distribution and use were taking place in the home. Eight individuals present during the raid were detained, but their identities and the specific charges they might face have not been disclosed.
This operation is part of a broader crackdown by the Cuban regime against drug trafficking and consumption, with several similar actions having occurred in recent months across the capital.
Rising Marijuana Cultivation in Cuba
Last week, Cuban authorities uncovered another illegal marijuana plantation in the Tercer Frente municipality of Santiago de Cuba. This was part of a nationwide effort to combat drug trafficking led by the regime. The plantation was found in the Peña Blanca area following reports from locals who noticed unusual plants that differed from the typical yuca.
The Revolutionary National Police (PNR) discovered over 400 marijuana plants, some reaching nearly two meters in height. While those responsible for the cultivation were detained, details on the number of individuals involved and their identities were not released. This discovery follows a series of significant drug busts in the province, highlighting a troubling increase in clandestine operations both in rural and urban settings.
Authorities also seized thousands of seeds ready for planting. Community reports once again played a crucial role in enabling these operations.
In another incident, a young man was apprehended in Salvador Rosales, Songo-La Maya, caught counting marijuana seeds from a plantation exceeding 2,000 plants. Multiple individuals faced legal consequences for their roles in cultivating, distributing, and trafficking the drug.
In June, two more cases emerged in Santiago de Cuba. In La Risueñita, a man named Yordani was arrested for growing marijuana in his yard, treating it as an ornamental garden. Meanwhile, in Sigua, a man called "Pepe" was detained after authorities found over 19,000 marijuana seeds and 950 growing plants at his residence.
Stern Judicial Measures and Severe Penalties
The increase in illegal cultivation detections has led to harsh judicial sentences. At the end of June, in Ciego de Ávila, one individual received a 20-year prison sentence for marijuana cultivation. Alongside this, another person was sentenced to three years for failing to report the illegal activity despite being aware of it.
Those convicted also faced loss of citizen rights, including travel bans and confiscation of tools used in the illegal activities. These trials are part of the government’s "third national exercise" to curb crime and illegalities, a campaign promoting "zero tolerance" against drug trafficking. Analysts, however, suggest it also serves as a means of social control.
Key Aspects of Drug Operations in Cuba
What prompted the police operation in Havana?
Local residents reported suspicious activities in a private home, leading to police intervention.
How many marijuana plants were found in Santiago de Cuba?
Authorities discovered over 400 marijuana plants, some nearly two meters tall, in Santiago de Cuba.
What penalties have been imposed for marijuana cultivation?
In Ciego de Ávila, one man received a 20-year prison sentence, while another was sentenced to three years for not reporting the illicit activity.