GOVERNMENT troops seized P95.3 million worth of marijuana plants in separate operations in Lanao del Sur, Kalinga and Rizal last Monday, police reported yesterday.
PNP public information office chief Brig. Gen. Roderick Alba said policemen and soldiers swooped down at four sites in Barangay Dilimbayan in Maguing town in Lanao del Sur.
“P32 million worth of fully-grown marijuana plants were uprooted (and destroyed),” said Alba.
In Kalinga, police operatives raided another marijuana plantation in Barangay Ngibat in Tinglayan town, leading to the uprooting of P25 million worth of marijuana plants.
In Barangay Bugnay, also in Tinglayan, policemen also uprooted P25 million worth of marijuana plants.
Another P7 million worth of marijuana plants were also uprooted in the same barangay during a separate operation.
In Rizal, police operatives seized P6.3 million worth of marijuana from two drug dealers during a police operation in Taytay town.
The suspects were identified as Marvic Curuelos and Wilfredo Perez, who were described by the police as “high-value individuals” in the campaign against illegal drugs.
Apart from the marijuana, the two also yielded a cal. 45 pistol, a 9 mm pistol, four magazines and 20 rounds of ammunition.
“These intensified efforts against the cultivation of Marijuana plants are proof that we are serious about eradicating this illegal business,” PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr said.
“We ask the community to remain vigilant so we can hand-in-hand fight criminality,” added Azurin.
Police also seized P10.2 million worth of suspected dangerous drugs and arrested a suspected pusher in a buy-bust operation in Marikina City last Monday.
Col. Wilson Asueta, Eastern police district acting Director, identified the suspect as Habib Pangalain, 32.
Seized from him were several plastic bags and sachets containing more or less 1.5 kilograms of suspected shabu. — With Christian Oineza
