The Court of Appeal in Varna refused to change the pre-trial detention measure “house arrest” for a man from Burgas, accused of possession of marijuana and growing cannabis, the court's press service announced.

The District Court in the city dismissed the accused's request for the determination of a measure “bail” or “signature”, and the ruling was appealed by his defense.

The 31-year-old man was detained on September 15th last year during an operation by the General Directorate “Combatting Organized Crime”. He is accused of having grown 106 cannabis plants in the village of Draka, Sredets municipality, Burgas region, and of possessing, for the purpose of distribution, plant matter with a total weight of 21,101.216 grams worth about 400,000 leva.

By order of the acting Chief Prosecutor Borislav Sarafov, the investigation of the pre-trial proceedings was assigned to the Varna Regional Prosecutor's Office. The case was to be heard in the Sredets Regional Court, but after the recusal of the judges, the Supreme Court of Cassation decided that the Varna Regional Court should be involved.

The 31-year-old man was taken into custody in September, and in early December the court decided that he should be under house arrest.

The judicial act is not subject to appeal.