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Cops, PDEA men uproot P79-M marijuana plants
By Freddie Lazaro

CAMP GENERAL OSCAR FLORENDO, La Union – Police burned Wednesday a portion of 324,000 fully grown marijuana plants with an estimated value of P79 million at a simple ceremony held in front of the headquarters of the police Region 1 office here.

The marijuana plants were uprooted by policemen and agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency at the tri-boundary of La Union, Ilocos Sur and Benguet during a two-day operation that started March 17.

Chief Supt. Romeo Hilomen, Region 1 police director, said the 324,000 fully grown marijuana plants were uprooted in two plantations at the mountainous part of an area at Sitio Nacneng, Caoayan, Sugpon, Ilocos Sur, and Sitio Culliang, Tacadang, Kibungan, Benguet.

The P97-million estimated value of the uprooted marijuana plants was based on the standards set by the Dangerous Drug Board.

“The two plantations with an estimated land area of 3.2 hectares were discovered after the team climbed to a hilly area,” Hilomen said.