Authorities discovered the marijuana plantation inside an establishment and a rental house in Cauayan City, Isabela last Wednesday night.
According to Police Lt. Col. Gerald Gamboa, chief of the Cauayan City Police, they received information about the alleged “indoor marijuana plantation” a few months ago.
“Binantayan din namin ng ilang buwan. After validation, nag-apply kami ng search warrant at positive iyong operation,” said Gamboa.
(We also monitored for a few months. After validation, we apply for a search warrant and the operation is positive.)
With the search warrant in effect, a hotel in Barangay Nungnungan II was searched where approximately 700 grams of marijuana valued at P84,000 were seized.
They also confiscated marijuana seeds, seedling trays, pots, as well as various marijuana care and drying equipment. .45 caliber bullets and 9mm caliber guns were also recovered there.
The target of the operation, who allegedly managed the hotel, was arrested.
Also read: British man and Filipina girlfriend arrested in Subic for growing marijuana,5 marijuana plantations found in Kalinga
Indoor marijuana plantation in hotel raided in Isabela
They also raided his rented house in Barangay District 1 where they also found about 1 kilo of dried marijuana leaves, a plastic sachet containing about 5 grams of dried marijuana leaves, 3 pots with marijuana seedling, portable digital weighing scale and other equipment as confiscated from the hotel.
“Nagtatanim talaga siya doon, mga various equipment na ginagamit sa growing saka sa drying of marijuana plants. Nakapag-ani na siya e, pero merong naiwan na maliliit pa,” said Gamboa.
(He actually grows marijuana there, various equipment used in growing as well as drying of marijuana plants. He has already harvested, but there are still small ones left.)
Authorities are already investigating to whom the suspect is selling the marijuana, but during the initial investigation, he was allegedly transacting online.
A complaint of violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act is being prepared against the suspect who is now considered a high-value target.
Marijuana remains an illegal, dangerous drug in the Philippines even after a United Nations commission downgraded its classification, the Dangerous Drugs Board said.