5,000 cannabis plants were found in a national park in the Odessa region

During a scientific survey of the Lower Dniester National Nature Park, ecologists came across large cannabis plantations. In total, more than 5,000 plants were discovered and seized on the protected islands.

This was reported by ecologist Ivan Rusev.

According to him, the discovery was made during an expedition aimed at studying the population of the great cormorant and searching for nesting colonies of the pink pelican. While surveying the islands, scientists noticed large areas planted with cannabis.

Following this, national park inspectors conducted an additional inspection of the area and discovered several more similar plantations. A total of 5,120 cannabis plants were found, which, according to ecologists, indicates cultivation on an industrial scale.

Rusev noted that the plots are located directly within the national nature park. He also pointed out signs of plant maintenance: the soil beneath them had been fertilized, and some of the surrounding trees, he said, had been deliberately cut down.

Park staff called the police, who documented the discovery of the plantations. According to the ecologist, law enforcement opened a criminal investigation on May 31, 2026.

The investigation is currently ongoing. Law enforcement officials must identify the individuals involved in organizing and cultivating the plantations within the nature reserve. The ecologist hopes that the investigation will be conducted impartially and that those responsible will be held accountable in accordance with the law.

In April, police searched over 200 stores in the U420 chain. Investigators believe that drug products were being sold through the chain of specialty stores. These were products disguised as souvenir cigarettes and beverages that actually contained dangerous chemicals.

Laboratory analysis by the Ministry of Internal Affairs revealed that souvenirs purchased from the U420 chain contained a psychotropic substance whose distribution is prohibited—a synthetic cannabinoid classified as a type of "spice."  

Анна Бальчінос