SOME P22.4 million worth of shabu and marijuana plants were seized in separate operations in Cebu City and Cebu Province on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019.
In Danao City, six persons were nabbed while some P14.3 million worth of marijuana stalks were uprooted in two simultaneous drug operations in Barangays Langosig and Licos on Aug. 13.
Members of the Danao Police Station uprooted 10,350 fully grown marijuana stalks and 4,000 marijuana seedlings worth P4.3 million, a Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) value, in Sitio Tuhog, Barangay Licos, Danao City, at around 7:30 a.m. on Aug. 13.
The operation led to the arrest of Benjie Depositario, Inocentes Depositario, Bertin Depositario and Melvin Depositario. They were identified as the cultivators of the plantation and are listed as high value targets.
Bertin yielded a .45 calibre pistol and a magazine with seven live ammunition.
Personnel from the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) 7, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7, and Provincial Investigation and Detection Management Branch (PIDMB) also helped in the operations.
At 8 a.m. another team led by Police Lt. Col. Rene Kyamco of 1st PMFC, arrested two other alleged marijuana planters in Barangay Langosig, Danao City. They were identified as Jay and Jhosar Acidillo and are both considered high-value targets.
However, two other suspects, identified as Genesis Jaime and Wendel Jaime, eluded arrest and are subject of a manhunt operation. The operation in Langosig led to the destruction of around 25,000 fully grown marijuana worth P10 million.
Those arrested will face charges for violation of Section 16 of Article 2 of Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Bertin, on the other hand, will also face charges for violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
Thirty-eight thousand of the total number of confiscated marijuana stalks were burned onsite, while 1,000 marijuana stalks were brought to Barangay Lawaan, Danao City for a ceremonial burning attended by Danao City Mayor Ramon Durano III.
Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) Director Roderick Mariano said the cold weather condition in Danao City made the cultivation of marijuana plants favorable.
On the other hand, Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Gemma Vinluan said since Aug. 1, they have confiscated around P14 million worth of suspected shabu.
On Aug. 13, some P8.1 million worth of suspected shabu was seized in a drug bust in Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City. (WBS)