Over P1.6-M marijuana bricks found in Benguet

BOKOD, Benguet -- The Police Regional Office Cordillera recovered more than P1.6-million worth of marijuana found abandoned in a van here headed to Tabuk City recently.
    PRO Cordillera director Brig. Gen. R’win Pagkalinawan said the Benguet Provincial Police Office recovered 14 kilos of marijuana bricks in a van driven by Genaro Lamsis in Adonot, Ambuklao, Bokod, Benguet.

Investigation by Bokod Municipal Police showed Lamsis was conducting routine inspection of pieces of baggage loaded into his van when he noticed a suspicious-looking carton, which did not bear any marking.

This prompted him to look into the box, and discovered the marijuana bricks.

Pagkalinawan has already ordered the setting up of checkpoints in entrance and exit points in the province.

Narcotics detection dogs have also been deployed at the checkpoints.

Meanwhile, the Benguet PPO reported the arrest of regional Top 10 drug personality, identified as Joseph De Vera Igama, 32, a resident of Camp 7, Kennon Road, Baguio City, in Sumbrero, Ambuklao, Bokod afternoon of Nov. 18.

The operatives confiscated from him two transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu worth P37,400, P1,000 boodle money, cellular phone and P5,000 cash.