Cops raid 2 marijuana plantations

Police have raided early Thursday two marijuana plantations in Danao City and Balamban town, uprooting at least 1,500 fully grown stalks and arresting one person.

The first raid happened when SPO1 Allan Patalinghug, PO2 Jose Villarino, PO2 Julius Obaniana, PO1 Alby Agua and PO1 Manuel Gilamon of the Balamban police swooped down on the marijuana plantation in sitio Liki, barangay Magsaysay, Balamban and arrested Anicodemu Maglasang Jr.

The police uprooted at least 1,349 fully grown stalks of marijuana and about 545 newly planted seedlings from the lot allegedly owned by Maglasang.

Reports reaching the Cebu Provincial Police Office said the operation was conducted around 5 a.m.

According to the police, Maglasang, who was allegedly tending the plantation, tried to escape upon seeing the approaching policemen. But the lawmen immediately cordoned off his house and arrested the suspect.

Aside from the marijuana plants, the police also seized from Maglasang’s house more than five kilos of dried marijuana.

In Danao City, policemen who were about to serve a warrant of arrest against a wanted person in barangay Santican discovered a marijuana plantation in sitio Maaghan.

The operating team, led by Supt. Larson Dechino, failed to arrest the subject of the arrest warrant and instead uprooted at least 103 fully grown stalks of marijuana surrounded by bushes and tall grasses.

The police, however, failed to arrest the alleged planter identified as a certain Antonieto Hermita.

According to the police, Balamban and some parts of the cities of Danao and Cebu are ideal for marijuana cultivation due to favorable climate. — Edwin Ian Melecio/LPM