P9 million ‘grass’ burned in Kibungan

KIBUNGAN, Benguet -- A total worth of P9,285,600 marijuana was uprooted and burned here in an eradication operation at Barangay Tacadang last Nov. 30 to Dec. 2.

Around 23,200 full-grown marijuana and 3,200 seedlings were eradicated in five cultivation sites at sitiosLingey, Bito. Lespag and Tagpaya.

Overall, 38,000 full-grown plants and 42,140 seedlings with Dangerous Drugs Board value of P7.6 million P1,685,600 respectively were found in 18 plantations in Tacadang.

Lawmen conducted dialogues with local folk on ill effects of marijuana use, legal implications of marijuana production and trading, participation of the community in the enforcement of the drug law and other related issues.

During the occasion, the faculty and pupils of the Es-esa S. Alodos Elementary School solicited from the operatives P3,500 for Tacadang’s upcoming barangay Christmas party.

The operating units were composed of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency – Cordillera Administrative Region, Police Regional Office – Cordillera, Military Intelligence Group – 1, and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group – CAR.

Since January until November, 15 marijuana eradication operations had been carried out by government troops in the Cordillera, resulting in the destruction of 1,634,148 full-grown cannabis plants, 858,000 seedlings, 333,641.50 grams cannabis dried leaves, 48 kilos stalks, 60 kilos bricks, 400 fruiting tops and three kilos seeds while one marijuana cultivator was arrested.

Five of the 15 eradication drives were effected in Kibungan, Benguet; three in Bakun, Benguet; Tabuk City, Kalinga; and Kapangan, Benguet and one in Tinoc, Ifugao.

Additionally, P365,295,637.50 worth of the cannabis yields had been eradicated in Benguet, P10,450 in Kalinga and P1.4 million in Ifugao, for a grand total of P377,145,637.50.