AUTHORITIES raided a marijuana plantation in Sitio Guingcamote, Barangay Captain Claudio in Toledo City, Cebu on Saturday morning, June 26, 2021, resulting in the uprooting of 50,000 marijuana stalks.
Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7 pegged the value of the marijuana plants at P20 million, based on the value set by the Dangerous Drugs Board.
The Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RFMB) 7, led by Col. Robert Lingbawan, launched the raid.
The police officers were assisted by their fellow operatives from the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company and the Toledo City Police Station.
Agents from the PDEA 7 and operatives from a special unit of the Naval Forces Central also participated in the operation and the uprooting of marijuana stalks.
Captain Claudio is a mountain barangay in Toledo City.
The RFMB 7 learned about the plantation after it received a tip-off and placed the area under surveillance.
Authorities were able to confirm the presence of the plantation in Guingcamote and identify the cultivator of the marijuana plants.
The cultivator escaped arrest, but he will be charged with violating Republic Act (RA) 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which prohibits the cultivation of marijuana.
In May, police and PDEA 7 agents also uprooted 11,200 fully grown marijuana plants in 800 square meters of land in Sitio Sampinit in Barangay Tagba-o, Cebu City.
The cultivator of the plantation, who was charged with violating RA 9165, also eluded arrest. (AYB / KAL)