ANTI-ILLEGAL drug operatives in Benguet uprooted and burned more than P1 million worth of fully grown marijuana plants on June 24 and 25 in towns of Kibungan and Bakun.

On June 25, a marijuana plantation site at Mt. Oten Tacadang in Kibungan with an estimated area of 350 square meters planted were eradicated with about 800 fully grown marijuana plants with estimated Dangerous Drug Board (DDB) value of P160,000.

The marijuana eradication, led by Police Major Orlando Bakisan, is in relation to the implementation of Benguet Provincial Police Office Oplan Bushwacker.

In another operation, 50 dried marijuana stalks weighing an estimate of six kilograms with an estimated DDB value of P750,000 were also destroyed.

On Tuesday, personnel from Kibungan Municipal Police Station, Benguet Police Drug Enforcement Unit, Benguet Infantry Batallion, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Cordillera and the Barangay Anti-Drug Council members of Palina discovered five marijuana plantation sites at Sitio Agadangan River in Barangay Palina with a DDB value of P800,000.

On the same day, personnel of Bakun MPS uprooted and burned 150 pieces of fully grown marijuana plants with an estimated DDB value of P58,000 in a 100 square meter land area at Macagang, Kayapa in Bakun.

On Tuesday, joint operatives of La Trinidad, Philippine Drug Enforcement Unit of Benguet Provincial Police Office and the RIU-14 responded to reported alleged ongoing drug session which led to the arrest of four residents of La Trinidad.

Arrested were Raymark Granil, 25, from Tarlac, porter at La Trinidad; Stafin Olsim Jr. of Buguias, 54, self-employed; Ariel Degyem of Bokod, Benguet, 38, porter and Mark Jason Nugal, 30 , laborer and native of Tublay, Benguet.

Seized items include eight sachets of shabu and assorted paraphernalia. (Lauren Alimondo)