Marijuana worth P344,000 uprooted in Danao

CEBU, Philippines - Operatives uprooted P344,000 worth of marijuana in the mountain barangay of Langosig in Danao City yesterday.

The joint operation of the 78th Infantry Battalion, 52nd Infantry Battalion and the Danao police yielded 4,180 marijuana plants.

The police were supposed to arrest Ronald Batican with an alias warrant for murder but came across the marijuana plantation instead.

Chief Inspector Alvin Balio, Danao City Police chief, said they proceeded in uprooting the marijuana plants because Batican was not around.

“Out attention was diverted to uprooting the marijuana plants kay wala man diha ang subject sa warrant,” Balio said.

The warrant of arrest was signed by Judge Edito Enemecio of the Regional Trial Court in Danao City.

The Danao police team came across the 78th IB and 52nd IB who were conducting their regular roving in the area and decided to join the army operations.

Balio said a house owned by Abner Batoon was the nearest among the other houses in the area.

Batoon was not around during the operation but police suspected he was the responsible for planting the marijuana as alleged by the residents.

The police are set to visit the City Assessor’s Office today to verify the registered owner of the lot.

If proven responsible for tending to the marijuana plantation, Batoon will be facing charges for violating RA 9165 also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. (FREEMAN)