Cops destroy over P73M marijuana in Benguet

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Authorities destroyed more than P73-million worth of marijuana plants and seedlings during a three-day eradication operation in Benguet, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said on Thursday.

PDEA director general Arturo Cacdac Jr. said that anti-narcotics agents and members of the Philippine National Police raided and destroyed marijuana stalks, plants and seedings in 62 plantations the province from Jan. 10 to Jan. 12.

"The operating teams have discovered the marijuana plants, stalks and seedlings in 62 cultivation sites in SitiosKinmayad, Agay-ay and Lubban in Barangay Kayapa, Bakun, Benguet; Sitios Tebteb, Lukoc, Lebeng, Batoan of Barangay Badeo; and Beleng of Barangay Palina, all in Kibungan, Benguet, covering a total of 43,443 square meters of land area," Cacdac said.

A total of 222,175 fully-grown marijuana plants were uprooted and destroyed together with 13,000 pieces of marijuana seedlings, 225 kilograms of marijuana stalks and 15 kilograms of marijuana seeds with an overall value of P73,445,000, as a result of the operation. However, no cultivators were arrested, he added. 

"Marijuana is a perennial plant that naturally thrives in high altitude areas and is the second drug of choice. With these glaring facts, PDEA continues to step up its offensive in destroying cultivation sites in mountainous areas in the country," Cacdac said.

In 2013, government conducted a total of 50 marijuana eradication operations, destroying marijuana plants and seedlings worth P471.6 million in 419 cultivation sites in the tri-boundaries of Ilocos Sur, La Union and Benguet.