The Ministry of the Interior has increased its budget to hire gardening companies to destroy large marijuana plantations, due to the increasing number of these plantations being found in the fight against drug trafficking. These plantations pose logistical challenges for law enforcement agencies, as they are often located in hard-to-access areas to avoid detection. The ministry recognizes that dedicating police resources to destroy these plantations would take away from their security duties. The number of seized plants has increased exponentially in recent years, with Spain being a leading producer of marijuana in Europe.
The ministry has contracted gardening companies to dismantle large marijuana plantations, with a budget of 870,793 euros over four years. This marks the second time the ministry has hired companies for this purpose, with the previous contract being in 2022. The current contract is for two years, with a possible extension of two more years. The budget has increased by 10%, and the geographical distribution of the work has also changed. The ministry acknowledges that the actual costs may vary due to the illegal nature of the activity and the geographic variations in the plantations.
The companies hired will face various challenges when destroying the plantations, as they may encounter plants of different sizes and difficult terrain. The locations of the plantations range from easily accessible areas to rugged terrain like ravines or mountains with no accessible paths. Cultivating marijuana in greenhouses also presents challenges, as workers may have to deal with high temperatures and plastic mesh coverings. Additionally, the companies must comply with court orders regarding the disposal of the seized plants, which may involve transporting them to landfills or incinerators.
The contract stipulates that the companies must work closely with the police during the destruction process, including extracting samples for judicial evidence and following instructions on safety measures. If the court orders the preservation of the plants, the companies must shred and store them until their eventual destruction. Confidentiality clauses are included in the contract to ensure that the companies and their employees do not disclose any information to third parties. The timeline for the destruction of seized drugs typically ranges from a month and a half to three months, depending on the legal proceedings.
The efforts to combat large marijuana plantations demonstrate the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in addressing the growing issue of drug trafficking. The increase in the number of seized plants highlights the scale of the problem and the need for specialized resources to effectively dismantle these operations. By collaborating with gardening companies, the Ministry of the Interior aims to streamline the process of destroying the plantations while ensuring compliance with legal requirements and maintaining the safety of all involved parties. This ongoing initiative reflects the government’s commitment to tackling organized crime associated with drug production and trafficking.
