LU mayor pushes stop to drug trade

By Liezle Basa Inigo

SANTOL, La Union – Mayor Daisy Sayangda has expressed alarm over the transshipment of dried marijuana here, prompting her to propose a dialogue with town officials to stop illegal activities involving minors earlier reported paid P100 per kilo.

According to Lawrence Ganuelas, chief of police of Santol, the mayor also wants to put the PNP detachment along boundaries in Kibungan, Benguet and part of Sudipen, Ilocos Sur so they could monitor and stop the transshipment of dried marijuana leaves.

Last March 21 at 2 a.m., Santol police confiscated P1,750,000 worth of marijuana stalks while the arrested suspect was injured during an encounter with police.

Ganuelas said the suspect, Ham Bardas, 35, of sitio Bekes, Barangay Takadang Kibungan in nearby Benguet, was injured by two bullets during an encounter with arresting policemen at the hilly portion of Barangay Sasaba here.

“Bitbit ni Ham ang dalawang sakong marijuana stalks at inilaglag at ito nagpapaputok kaya napilitan na gumanting putok ang PNP,” Ganuelas said.

Ganuelas and other policemen proceeded to Barangay Sasaba a night earlier night after receiving information on the transshipment of the marijuana along the hilly portion of Santol.

At around 2 a.m. the next day, policemen were surprised when they were fired upon by the suspect who they said was carrying sacks of marijuana.

Policemen retaliated and chased the suspect which resulted in his arrest and confiscation of 14 kilograms of marijuana stalks.

Ganuelas said there were two suspects but the second was able to escape.

Ham had walked for at least 10 kms from Kibungan , where he got the marijuana stalks down to Santol.