PDEA raids 13 marijuana farms in 3 days

MANILA, Philippines - Authorities have destroyed 13 marijuana plantations, with an estimated value of P4 million, during a three-day eradication operation in Benguet, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said on Wednesday.

The PDEA said the plantations were located in 13 adjacent sites in Sitios Ampawan, Saguilip, and Baukok, all in Barangay Badeo, Kibungan, Benguet, with an estimated total land area of 2,754 square meters.

A total of 18,800 pieces of fully-grown marijuana plants and 7,500 marijuana seedlings were uprooted by PDEA and Philippine National Police personnel during the operations.

PDEA director general Arturo Cacdac Jr. said operatives of PDEA Regional Office-Cordillera Administrative Region and Kapangan Police discovered the marijuana plants and seedlings from January 24 to January 26.

"The burned marijuana plants in the 13 cultivation sites have an estimated value of over P4 million. However, no cultivator was arrested during the operation," Cacdac said. - Dennis Carcamo