Proda emphasized that territorial control has been ramped up through the use of drones, with 51 drones deployed in 2024, up from 38 drones in the previous year and earlier years.

According to Proda, 185 flight hours have been conducted this year as part of the aerial monitoring of the territory.

“For 2024, a total of 5,506 police reports on narcotic plant cultivation have been received and handled; 103 wiretaps have been followed up as part of investigations into individuals suspected of engaging in criminal activities related to the cultivation of narcotic plants; 119 proactive investigations using special investigative methods have been initiated against the cultivation of narcotic plants; 35 cases of cannabis sativa seed seizures, with 45,351 seeds confiscated, compared to 8 cases with 16,712 seeds during the same period last year,” said Proda.

The Director of the Police stated that one of the goals set at the beginning of 2024 was to prevent and combat the recent trend of cultivating narcotic plants in closed facilities (grow houses) that are adapted through the installation of special electrical and ventilation systems.

Proda stated that the success of recent years has also been achieved thanks to the excellent cooperation with Italian partners.

This year, Proda stated, we have recorded 662 criminal acts related to the cultivation of narcotic plants, of which 549 are cultivation cases and 113 are proactive investigations.

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