Cops torch P.5 million marijuana plants

KIBUNGAN, Benguet – Almost half a million worth of marijuana found in at least four plantation sites here in sitio Guinawang, Tacadang were destroyed by policemen Tuesday.

The 2,040 fully grown plants were planted on a total of 830 square meter plantation with an estimated sale value of P408,000, said Cordillera police director Chief Supt. Benjamin Magalong.

Though no cultivator was found by policemen, Magalong said the eradication operations will be implemented throughout the region to cut supply of the illegal plant.

Lawmen included Kibungan police headed by Senior Insp. Jesus Lozano, Benguet provincial police office and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Cordillera.

Magalong said most of the uprooted fully grown marijuana plants were burned on site while troops took with them samples of the illegal hemp as evidence.

Magalong was previously the regional chief of the Phil. Drug Enforcement Agency in the Metro Manila Region.

Authorities still consider Cordillera region as the top producer of marijuana in the country.