Police destroyed more than ₱13.37 million worth of marijuana plants during separate eradication operations in Kalinga and Benguet provinces on Dec. 23, authorities said.
The operations were part of the intensified campaign against illegal drugs under the PNP Focused Agenda led by Philippine National Police Acting Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. The operations were carried out by the Police Regional Office Cordillera Administrative Region.
In Kalinga province, authorities discovered four marijuana plantations containing a total of 39,000 fully grown marijuana plants. Police estimated the plants had a standard drug price of ₱7.8 million.
The Kalinga operations were conducted in the barangays of Tulgao East, Butbut Proper and Buscalan in the town of Tinglayan. Participating units included the 1st and 2nd Kalinga Provincial Mobile Force Companies, the Pasil and Pinukpok municipal police stations, the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Kalinga Police Provincial Office, Regional Intelligence Unit 14, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15 and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Kalinga.
In Benguet province, police uncovered seven marijuana plantations with 24,250 fully grown marijuana plants, 500 marijuana seedlings and six kilograms of dried marijuana stalks with fruiting tops. Authorities placed the total value of the seized marijuana at ₱5.57 million.
The Benguet operations were conducted in Barangay Kayapa in Bakun town and Barangay Pudong in Kapangan. Units involved included the 1st Benguet Provincial Mobile Force Company, the Kapangan and Bakun municipal police stations, the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit and Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Benguet Police Provincial Office, the Regional Intelligence Division of PRO CAR, Regional Intelligence Unit 14 and PDEA Cordillera.
All marijuana plants and related materials were immediately burned after proper documentation and coordination with concerned agencies.
PRO CAR said investigations and operations are continuing to identify other possible marijuana plantations and determine those responsible for the illegal cultivation.
