P250T worth of marijuana uprooted in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - At least 1,262 fully grown marijuana plants amounting P252,400 were uprooted in the mountain barangay of Hagnaya, Carmen at 5:15 a.m. yesterday.

The marijuana plants were uprooted from sitios Bulwang and Lobo during the joint operation of the Regional Intelligence Unit 7 led by P/Insp. Raymund Roseller de Vera, the 52IB, 8thID of the Philippine Army led by Lt. Lorenzo Siobal Jr., the 78IB, 8thID led by Lt. Jesus Binarao, and the elements of Carmen Police Station.

SPO2 Simplicio Gibo of Carmen Police Station said the RIU together with the 78IB and the 52IB were having an operation in the barangay when they spotted the marijuana plantation. De Vera then called their office for a joint operation.

Gibo said the plantation was about 10 kilometers away from Barangay Poblacion and they walked for about three kilometers from the barangay road before they reached the plantation.

However, the operatives did not find the cultivator in the area or any even resident nearby.

Gibo said they believe the cultivator of the plants only went to the site to plant and will come back only when the plants are ready to be harvested.

“Kahibaw na sila kanus-a pwede ma-harvest unya anhaon na lang na nila,” he said.

The uprooted plants were brought to the custody of the RIU 7 for appropriate disposition.

Meanwhile, about 500 marijuana plants were also uprooted last month in the hilly barangays of Bayong and Magsaysay in Balamban town.

The fully grown marijuana stalks, estimated to cost P100,000, are now in the custody of Balamban Police Station. No one was arrested during the operation.

Persons found responsible in the cultivation of marijuana plants will face violation of Sec.16 of RA 9165 or the anti-drugs law. (FREEMAN NEWS)