This man is the storm of Chu criminals. Bakhytov Boltabek - Head of the Anti- Narcotics Department of the linear Department of Internal Affairs of Chu

In addition to the Bolatbek’s department, there is a basic, inter-district division struggling with drug dealing "Delta Valley" DIA of Zhambyl region, which is currently on a special operation in the town of Taraz in large-scale preventive action "Kendyr - 2011"

Given the local context, even those on duty at the checkpoint are always in readiness

We cannot imagine the police department to combat drug dealing without the help of canine units. Specially trained search dogs - the most effective means of detecting drug use. German shepherd dog named Pirat able to search for drugs, weapons and arrest criminals

Today, dogs unit is preparing for  the planned combing of the railway area where a large concentration of wild hemp grows. There are two detectives, cynologist and Pirate in the division

To access the difficult terrain the department has two cars - "NIVA" and "UAZ". But according to the police they need, at a minimum, all-terrain vehicle to complete the work.

Today, regular combing of the area includes a detailed review of areas, study of trails and roads which lead to this site, and the search for natural cover, where culprits could hide

On this part of railways the density of wild hemp is particularly high

Suddenly, during the check of the tracks located parallel to the railroads, Pirate sensed something.

Without betraying their presence, police made out a human hiding in high bushes

Surrounding the unknown, they detained him on well-established plan. It all happened in just a few seconds

We are very fortunate because we have witnessed a real arrest. A resident of Chu was taken red-handed while collecting cannabis

But before the identity determination of the detainee and the conclusion of the court, to show his face is forbidden

A few days ago, another resident of the city of Chu was detained near this place, with 6 kilograms and 400 grams of marijuana and 500 grams of cannabis resin

Having done all that was required of him, Pirate deserved a rest in the car

The detainee was taken to the local police station, where he was placed in a detention centre pending clarification of the circumstances

The second failed drug dealer whom we discussed above is also sitting here.

According to Kazakhstan's Criminal Code for possession of narcotic substances there is a penalty of up to 3 years deprivation of liberty, and for selling from 3 to 7 years

Bolatbek has been working in the police for 15 years. The work is hard, and as usual there is a lack of people and equipment. Therefore, at a regular intervals the Committee Against Drug-dealing of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan sends police from other regions in Chu to provide practical assistance

Territory controlled by Chu valley is located at 138 thousands of hectares. This is a very large area, and to monitor everything that happens there is almost impossible

About 18 km from the town of Chu there is a station Aspara. The main share of the detention of drug dealers is on this area. Local marijuana in their properties is very high quality with strong psychoactive properties

According to Bolatbek, some abusers get to the station on freight trains, jump off at the train station and then forwarded to the valley

Many people think that the valley of cannabis is a solid green meadow, which has no visible edges. But it is not. Hemp grows in small sectors, the so-called islands, so finding it is not difficult, it immediately catches the eye

Drug dealers inspect the valley and determine where the cannabis will be collected

Early in the morning hemp stalks are being prepared on the hills that are dried for almost two days. After drying, the leaves are brought away from the stem and the drug is ready for shipping

Just for those dried stalks of hemp, we stumbled on the road. "Yesterday at this place there was nothing", Bolatbek shakes his head

Typically, traffickers are working at night and in the daytime they rest in hidden places away from prying eyes

It is was exactly such a place that was found in June this year. Police officers detained a native of Kyzyl-Orda region, who was hiding in a canyon not far from the valley of Aspara. On the site fresh-cut marijuana weighing 1 ton and 7 kg was discovered and seized

In this self-made cave he was hiding in the daytime

Nobody knows exactly when the hemp came to Chu valley. They say that at the end of the XVIII century Turkestan Governor-General Kolpakovsky brought the first seeds of Indian cannabis, and sowed it in order to prevent the onset of sand. They also say that hemp was brought from Siberia during the birth of the Soviet Union. Allegedly it was planned to use the plant for industrial purposes, since climatic conditions in Kazakhstan have been more than appropriate. But still most suggest that cannabis in Chu Valley grew from ancient times, that is, it always was there

Attempts to reduce the area of ​cannabis in the valley Chu were taken several times. She was poisoned, burned, resulting the disappear aff almost all living things in the valley. But hemp root system reaches seven meters. During mowing the roots remain in the ground, and on the surface there is an additional pollination, only a beneficial effect on the further widening. So unfortunate grass continued to grow and turn green. All efforts have led only to the fact that the Chu hemp only increased its quality.

There were also attempts to make Chu hemp work for the benefit of man. In 2004, on the outskirts of Chu, there was a solemn laying of the foundation stone for the construction site of a hemp processing plant. German-Kazakh joint company was going to build it. The plant was supposed to make panels for construction and furniture industries, hemp food and cosmetic butter, cake for animal feed, medical raw materials. But the main attention would be given to a paper and fabric. However, the idea of ​building the plant was not realized.

The most common names of cannabis derivatives are: cannabis, hashish, marijuana, pot, plan, shmal, plasticine, shala etc.

Marijuana is the dried shredded flowers and leaves of certain types of cannabis. Hashish is resin made from the same plant, looks like a brown solid oily mass

Among all intoxicating substances, they are second only to alcohol in the scale of usage

Almost all drugs of cannabis have rather sharp specific smell and bitter taste

The effects of the use of cannabis derivatives may be different and depend on the composition and dose of the substance, individual characteristics, and even mood. Typically, there are red eyes, dryness of the mouth, irregular heartbeat, relaxation, talkativeness, unmotivated laughter, disturbed perception of time and space, deteriorating ability to perform tasks requiring concentration and coordination, may be fear, anxiety, hallucinations

Unfortunately, there is a perception that cannabis derivatives are pretty harmless substances, "soft drugs" the use of which does not lead to dependence and is not dangerous for the organism. And while this view exists, the fame of Chu valley will not die away for long…