84 kilos of marijuana seized from 2 elderly men

MANILA, Philippines - Police arrested yesterday two elderly men and confiscated from their possession at least 84 kilos of dried marijuana leaves worth P700,000 in Pasig City.

Eastern Police District (EPD) director Chief Superintendent Lino Calingasan said Magno Baluda, 72, and Esteban Ujano, 63, both of San Gabriel, La Union, claimed they were supposed to deliver the marijuana leaves but refused to identify the recipient.

The EPD director, upon receiving a tip about the two men, ordered Inspector Roger Garcia, head of the district’s anti-illegal drugs and special operations task force (DAIDSOTF), to arrest the suspects.

Garcia and his men positioned themselves along C-5 Road in Barangay Rosario and flagged down a Toyota Hi-Ace (BDM-649) driven by Ujano at about 10:30 a.m. yesterday.

Garcia found dried marijuana leaves with flowering tops inside the vehicle.

Calingasan said the suspects admitted they sourced the dried marijuana leaves from Benguet province.

The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) estimated the street value of the seized marijuana leaves at P700,000.

Last month, EPD policemen arrested a woman and her nephew for possessing 74 kilos of dried marijuana leaves during an operation in Quezon City.

Calingasan said the demand for marijuana has increased due to shabu’s scarcity and soaring prices.

He said they are still coordinating with other police stations in Metro Manila to determine whether the suspects are among known drug suppliers and if their names are on “watch lists.”

The EPD is preparing possession of illegal drugs charges against Magno and Ujano, who are detained at the EPD headquarters, before the Pasig City prosecutor’s office. – Non Alquitran