10 marijuana farms destroyed in Cordillera

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet: Eight drug personalities were arrested while P8.7 million worth of marijuana were destroyed during a weeklong anti-illegal drug operations by police operatives and anti-narcotics agents in the Cordillera Administrative Region.

The series of operations conducted by the Cordillera Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency resulted in the arrest of six drug personalities in Benguet, one in Baguio City and one in Abra.

The raids also resulted in the eradication of nine marijuana plantation sites in Benguet and one in Kalinga.

In Benguet, the arrested personalities were identified as Leah Uri Ampelio, 40; Benedicto Bayodang Atngag, 35; Leo Cabacungan Arcenas, 33; Khristian Maddang Geston, 30; Arvie Raymundo Vibar, 28; and Novie Tongaan Samonte, 23.

Monray Garcia Nidoy, 22, was arrested in Baguio while Jack Daniel Cruz Caliboso, 22, was apprehended by authorities in Abra.

The raid in Benguet led to the destruction of more than 24,000 fully grown marijuana plants and the discovery of four kilograms of dried marijuana leaves amounting to P5,300,000 in the towns of Bakun, Buguias and Kibungan.

In Kalinga, operatives destroyed a total of 17,000 fully grown marijuana plants worth P3,400,000 in Tinglayan.

All uprooted and discovered marijuana plants and dried marijuana leaves were burned on site.

Meanwhile, a separate buy-bust conducted by the joint operatives resulted in the seizure of a total of 7.8969 grams of suspected shabu priced at P53,698.92 and the confiscation of 0.02 grams of dried marijuana leaves with an approximate value of P2,400.

All arrested suspects will be facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the "Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002."

Source: TheManila Times