"A system has been developed and is being introduced by Roskosmos [the Russian Federal Space Agency]. The head of Roskosmos, Alexander Strykov, is currently testing the space monitoring system in the Amur Region," Olga Shabalina said.
The imaging system is part of the federal anti-narcotics program for 2005-2009, and has been in the works for two years. It involves computer analysis of satellite imagery to detect cannabis and opium fields, and will initially monitor three regions - the Far Eastern, Siberian and Southern federal districts.
The Far East and parts of Yakutia are known as major producers of "Manchurian" cannabis, with some fields covering hundreds of acres. Many local villagers grow the weed to supplement their incomes.
Despite stiff penalties for its cultivation, opinion polls of local residents reveal that only one in six believes growing drugs is a crime.
This year, Operation Poppy, which begins annually in May, has uncovered more than 200 wild and cultivated patches of cannabis, and has resulted in more than 1,000 criminal cases for illegal narcotics production.
