P1-billion marijuana seized in Kalinga

AN ESTIMATED P1 billion worth of fully-grown marijuana plants were raided and uprooted by authorities at Mount Chumanchill in Tinglayan, Kalinga during the weekend.

The joint operation initiated by the Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PRO-Cor) said the plantation is estimated to reach eight hectares planted with more than 5.2 million pieces of fully-grown plants.

Joint personnel from the PROCOR and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Kalinga PPO, and 503rd Infantry Brigade of the 51st Infantry Division of the Philippine Army conducted an aerial inspection leading to the discovery of the plantation.

In a belated police report, the operations led by PRO-Cor director Police Chief Superintendent Elmo Francisco Sarona set up another aerial inspection, which allowed them to discover another plantation with P5 million worth of marijuana on the other side of the sloped cultivated area.

The seek and destroy operation was a joint accomplishment by PRO-Cor, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Kalinga Police Provincial Office (PPO), and army forces from the 503rd Infantry Brigade of the 51st Infantry Division.

“The marijuana plants, which looks even bigger than a fully grown corn plant that is visible from the air is surprising. There is even a hut which could be used by the planters in resting,” Sarona said.

With the discovery, the police director said they will continue the eradication in adjacent mountains in the towns of Pasil and Lubuagan as it was also found through reconnaissance that there are many marijuana plantations.

Kalinga Police Provincial Director Victor Wanchakan meanwhile said they started with the eradication on the first week of July on Mt. Bitalayungan until they discovered some eight hectares more of plantation site in Barangay Loccong,Tnglayan.

Officials said the quality of marijuana from Kalinga is more potent than those from Benguet.

“Ang marijuana dito sa Kalinga ang ginagawang hashish, dahil magandang klase, na kalimitang dinadala sa ibang bansa” said PDEA director Juvenal Azurin.

Just few days apart, 14 containers with chemicals believed to be used in manufacturing shabu were also seized in Barangay Malekkeg, Santa Marcela, Apayao.

Authorities suspect the 14 containers are part of the 50 which were removed from the shabu laboratory in the nearby Barangay Nicolas Agatep, Lasam, Cagayan, which was raided by police back in February 16, 2015.

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