Spanish police bust largest illegal cannabis plantation ever discovered in Europe

By Alyssa McMurtry

OVIEDO, Spain (AA) - Spanish police announced they have dismantled the largest illegal marijuana plantation ever discovered in Europe.

The plantations, which sprawled over 67 hectares (165 acres), were found near the sleepy northern town of Artajona, located in the region of Navarre.

Police were first alerted to the massive marijuana farm midway through 2021, but the owner had tried to convince them that the cannabis was being grown for industrial use, police said in a statement on Wednesday.

However, the large investments and the final destinations of the product — Italy and Switzerland — made police suspect that the plants were instead being processed for Cannabidiol (CBD), which is illegal in Spain, even though CBD products are sold openly across the country.

After more investigation, police raided the cannabis farm and several warehouses. In total, they destroyed 415,000 plants, which the farm owners were hoping to sell for €30 million ($33 million).

After processing for CBD, however, police said the plants could have been worth as much as €100 million ($108 million).

Three individuals were arrested in Navarre, and another two from the Basque Country are being investigated.