A Russian man has been caught illegally growing nearly 30 cannabis plants at a rented house in Vietnam for personal use and to provide for other compatriots.

Officers in Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province confirmed on Saturday they were looking into the violation of Shedko Dmitrii, a 33-year-old Russian national.

Police inspected Dmitrii’s tenanted house in Ham Tien Ward on Friday evening and discovered he was growing 27 cannabis plants, each about one to two meters tall, inside his bedroom.

The plants were kept in a mini greenhouse with watering, artificial lighting, and temperature control systems.

Officers also found three kilograms of dried cannabis and other relevant items.

Dmitrii claimed he started growing the plants about two months ago after buying seeds, fertilizers, chemicals, and tools from online merchants.

The man added he had some experience in growing cannabis back in Russia.

He said the hemp plants were for himself and other compatriots living in Phan Thiet City.

In Vietnam, both medical and recreational use of cannabis and cannabis-based products are prohibited by law.

It is thus illegal to grow, trade, transport, possess, and use cannabis in the Southeast Asian country.

Growing cannabis plants is punishable by a fine worth VND2-5 million (US$87-218).

If the number of plants exceeds 500, the offender will be criminally charged and face a jail term of up to seven years.

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