FOUR million pesos worth of marijuana plants were cut down and later burned by authorities during an anti-illegal drug operation in two villages in Tarragona, Davao Oriental on July 23 and July 24.
“Despite the bad weather condition we faced during the conduct of anti-drug operation in Tarragona, Davao Oriental, we continue to fulfill our mandate to suppress the supply of illegal hemp in the country,” Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA 11) Davao region information officer Noli Nephi Dimaandal said.
Agents of PDEA together with elements of the 701st Brigade, Davao Oriental Police Provincial Maneuver Force Company, Regional Maneuver Force Batallion 11, and Tarragona Municipal Police Station conducted the marijuana eradication last July 23 in Barangay Tomoaong and on July 24 in Barangay Tubaon, Tarragona, Davao Oriental.
During their operation, operatives uprooted more or less 22,500 fully grown Canabis sativa L, locally known as marijuana, and more or less 2,000 grams of marijuana seeds with an estimated street value of P4.065 million.
“The uprooted fully grown marijuana leaves were burned on the site while the other hills of fully grown marijuana plant were brought to the municipal ground of Tarragona yesterday for the ceremonial burning,” he added.
The burning was witnessed by Davao Oriental Governor Nelson L Dayanghirang, Tarragona municipal Mayor Nestor L. Uy, representative from Department of Justice, Civil Society Group and members of the media.
He added that the burning was conducted in public to erase the skepticism on recycling of seized/confiscated drugs by law enforcement agencies.
These efforts are part of the intensified campaign of the government against proliferation of illegal drugs.
“(This) serves as a warning to all drug perpetrators that the different government agencies are closely working together and always vigilant in the fight against illegal drugs,” Dimaandal added.
Meanwhile, PDEA 11 regional director Antonio E Rivera commended the inter-agency operation.
“This only shows the government, with its different law enforcement agencies, local government unit and the community are one in the fight against illegal drugs,” Rivera said.