Marijuana stalks, shabu seized in Toledo, Naga

CEBU, Philippines - Close to P200,000 worth of marijuana plants, shabu and assorted paraphernalia were recovered in separate anti-narcotics operations in the cities of Toledo and Naga Saturday.

Almost 250 fully-grown marijuana plants were uprooted by the Toledo City police, led by Chief Inspector Michael Anthony Bastes, in the mountainous area of Sitio Cansi Gingkamote, Barangay Captain Claudio, Toledo City.

The police were supposed to uproot marijuana in three alleged plantations but unfortunately, fully-grown marijuana plants in the two plantations were already harvested.

Police were able to uproot 245 ready-to-harvest marijuana stalks worth P180,000.

They, however, failed to arrest any cultivator.

Chief Inspector Michael Anthony Bastes, said that the plantations had a wooden perimeter fence and were located in steep areas in the mountain.

“Base ni sa atong info nga taga bukid unya resulta ni sa atong pulong-pulong nga dako og matabang ang residente kung sila nagpakabana,” he said.

The marijuana plants are now in the custody of the police.

Meanwhile, an alleged noted drug pusher and his cohorts were arrested by the police in Barangay Langtad, Naga City past 8 a.m.

The arrest of Wendell Genodiala, 38, was by virtue of an arrest warrant for illegal drugs issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Wilfredo Navarro, Branch 19.

A team led by Naga City deputy chief Roseller Paller confiscated three medium and four small packets of shabu amounting to P4,248 and drug paraphernalia from Genodiala.

Melvin Villafuerte, 23, and Alexander Donaire Jr., 23, both of Barangay Pitalo, San Fernando, were also arrested after the police were able to confiscate from them a small packet of shabu and drug paraphernalia.

Paller said that Genodiala was their target drug personality in the city for his illegal activities. He said that the suspect was a street pusher.

The three men will be charged for violation of Sections 5 and 11 of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.  (FREEMAN)