More than P2 million worth of marijuana crops were seized during a two-day operation by the authorities in Tinglayan town, Kalinga.
According to the Cordillera Police, information from local officials was the key to locating the marijuana plantation in the remote Barangay of Bkaitan.
The Kalinga Police, Regional Intelligence Unit, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency joined forces for the operation from May 15 to 16.
They discovered approximately 10,400 fully grown marijuana plants planted on 1,300 square meters of land.
Marijuana crops worth an estimated P2.08 million were uprooted and burned.
On May 12 to 14, authorities also destroyed 80,000 fully grown marijuana plants discovered in an 800 square meter plantation in Barangay Loccong, Kalinga.
Also confiscated in the area were 210 kilos of dried marijuana leaves worth P41.2 million based on estimates by PDEA Kalinga.
Farmer arrested for allegedly planting marijuana in Benguet
Authorities arrested a farmer allegedly planting marijuana in Atok town, Benguet on Monday.
According to the Cordillera Police Office, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Cordillera and Benguet Police conducted an operation at the plantation in Sitio Colbong, Barangay Cattubo.
At the height of the operation, they caught Michael Bitabit, 61, while allegedly handling marijuana crops.
As many as 26 fully grown marijuana plants were found planted in the part of the mountain where the suspect also planted cabbage. The marijuana crops valued at P6,000 were immediately uprooted.
Upon further exploring the area, authorities also found dried marijuana stalks. It weighs a total of 1 kilo and is estimated to cost P120,000.
On May 12, authorities also arrested a marijuana cultivator in Baguio.
During a search operation at Donato Sajonas’ house, several pieces of fully grown marijuana plants placed in pots were confiscated.
Some drug paraphernalia was also confiscated from the suspect, a former Bilibid inmate.
The suspects have already been charged with violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
The cultivation and use of cannabis in the Philippines is illegal under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Marijuana is the second most used drug in the Philippines, after shabu (methamphetamine), and most cultivation in the country is for local consumption.
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