AUTHORITIES are still conducting investigation to identify the owners of the two marijuana plantations that were discovered in Barangay Codcod, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental Monday, November 29.
Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis, spokesperson of Police Regional Office-Western Visayas, said the plantations were about 200 square meters wide.
There were no other trees or plants planted in the area other than marijuana, Solis said.
Authorities uprooted about 500 pieces of fully and newly grown marijuana plants, weighing about 10 kilograms and valued at P38,000.
The operation was conducted following a tip from a concerned citizen that there are alleged marijuana planted in the area.
Operatives of the Regional Drugs Enforcement Unit, Regional Intelligence Division and the Regional Force Mobile Battalion and San Carlos City Police Station assisted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency led the operation.
In Bacolod City, meanwhile, an estimated P23,000 worth of substance believed to be shabu was seized in a joint drug bust operation by the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) and Police Station 5 in Purok Dama De Noche, Barangay 11, Bacolod City on Monday evening, November 29.
The operation also led to the arrest of Clyde Fernandez, 21, of Barangay.
Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) spokesperson Police Lieutenant Colonel Sherlock Gabana said the suspect was arrested after selling a sachet of shabu to a poseur buyer past 10 p.m.
Police recovered from Fernandez's possession 14 sachets of illegal drugs weighing three grams, the P100 marked money and drug paraphernalia.
Gabana said Fernandez, identified as a street level individual, was under surveillance for almost a month before his arrest.
The suspect is detained at the custodial facility of Police Station 5.
He will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (With reports from Merlinda A. Pedrosa)