Sunday, July 08, 2007 YC chairman says he didn't know marijuana is illegal
Ignorance of the law, feigned or not, landed Youth Council chairman Ringi dela Cerna of Dalaupon Tayasan in jail after he was caught growing marijuana in his land. Dela Cerna told police that all he knows is that marijuana is a medicinal plant for stomachache.
The Negros Oriental police arrested dela Cerna last Saturday after three suspects identified him as the one behind the illegal plantation of marijuana in the area.
Suspects Roline Espraguera, Romnick Callao and Ronualdo Gador were nabbed also last Saturday after they were caught planting marijuana in dela Cerna's land.
The police are now looking into the identity of a certain "Nilo" who is allegedly supplying the marijuana seeds in Tayasan.
At least 47 seedlings were uprooted during the joint operation of the PNP Provincial Command, Ayungon police, 705th Mobile Group and the 61st IB of the Philippine Army in Tayasan.
PNP Provincial Director Melvin Buenafe said they have been monitoring the areas of Tayasan and Guihulngan after receiving reports of marijuana plantations in the vicinity.
According to the reports, Senior Superintendent Buenafe said in early April some residents of Dalaupon harvested 300 full-grown marijuana plants and delivered these to different areas in the province.
Buenafe said these marijuana plants are usually in secluded areas and found under scrubs or mixed with other crops.
However, he said some farmers are growing bolder and selling the illegal plant during agri-trade fairs every weekend in Barangay Nabilog in Tayasan town.(MOA)
