India to Use Drones to Destroy Illegal Marijuana Plantations
The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) of India have decided to deploy drones to destroy illegal marijuana plantations before harvest. The NCB will use chemicals to eradicate the cannabis plants.
How the Drones Will Be Used
NCB officers will analyze satellite images of agricultural land to detect marijuana crops hidden among regular plants. These images will utilize technology that can penetrate tree foliage, allowing authorities to find marijuana bushes even in forested areas. Drones will then be sent to these cultivation sites to spray chemicals on the plants, effectively destroying them.
Adopting the U.S. Approach
India has chosen to follow an anti-marijuana strategy developed by the U.S. government. American authorities have long used airplanes and drones to detect and eradicate marijuana crops. Indian law enforcement will pay special attention to northeastern states, where there is increased activity from smugglers and cannabis traffickers.
In 2019, police in Andhra Pradesh seized 2,160 kg of marijuana, and 2,328 kg were confiscated in the city of Kanpur. In 2018, authorities conducted 24,000 special operations to combat marijuana smuggling and trafficking, resulting in the seizure of 414 tons of marijuana.
Alternative Measures to Combat Marijuana Cultivation
According to law enforcement, Indian cannabis growers often sell their products to cartels, which then smuggle the cannabis into neighboring countries. Many farmers turn to illegal activities to make a living. As a result, the government is proposing not only repressive measures but also alternative methods to fight illegal cultivation.
Specifically, educational programs will be offered to farmers, teaching them how to grow high-yield legal crops. However, the main goal of the anti-drug policy remains the destruction of raw materials and the punishment of criminals. Training courses will only be launched in regions where marijuana cultivation is the sole source of income for farmers.
Legal Status of Cannabis Cultivation in India
Current legislation allows the cultivation of cannabis for the production of traditional medicines used in homeopathy and Ayurveda. However, unlicensed companies are prosecuted under the Criminal Code. Additionally, the cultivation of industrial varieties of marijuana is legal in India, and these are used to produce bioplastics, hemp, and oil.