 |
| Security forces burn the confiscated marijuana plants in Ilocos Sur. (Photos courtesy of Sugpon PNP) |
By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff Reporter
LAOAG CITY— The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the local police have destroyed over PHP4 million worth of marijuana plants uprooted in the mountainous areas of Kibungan in Benguet and Sugpon in Ilocos Sur in a three-day operation.
Lt. Jerry Arazabal, Sugpon police chief confirmed this as he reported they have uprooted more or less 17,550 fully-grown marijuana plants and recovered at least 7 kilos of dried marijuana stalks in different plantation sites located in the borders of Sitio Culiang, Tacadang, Kibungan and in the mountains of Wasan and Bila, Sitio Sawangan, Barangay Danac in Sugpon, Ilocos Sur.
He said, “personnel of the PDEA and police operatives reached the target on Tuesday [November 26, 2019] morning and found fully-grown marijuana plants in different sites with a total value of PHP4,465,000 based on the standard set by the Dangerous Drug Board (DDB).” The area covers an estimated land area of 3,650 square meters.
Unfortunately, no cultivator was apprehended during the operation.
As of press time, law enforcers are now preparing some samples to be brought to the PDEA Region 1 office for proper disposition.
Lt. Arazabal appealed to the public to help the PNP and PDEA in its serious efforts to wipe out marijuana plantation sites and other prohibited drugs in the country.