5 tourists nabbed in Kalinga for P2.5-M marijuana

TINGLAYAN, Kalinga -- Five tourists who visited the famous Barangay Buscalan here were arrested for transporting P2,505,360 worth of marijuana plants in a police checkpoint in Dinakan, Dangoy, Lubuagan, Kalinga  on Feb. 15.
    Reports reaching Cordillera police director Ronald O. Lee identified the arrested suspects as Mark Adrian Aguilar, 18; Andrie Punsalan, 21; Ramil L. Dela Cruz, 21; Alvin Triplett Medel, 24 and Mark Joseph Dela Pena, 23.
    A police intelligence officer reportedly spotted the five male suspects carrying bricks of suspected marijuana.
    They rode a public utility bus bound to Tabuk City.
    The cop immediately informed the 2nd Kalinga Provincial Mobile Force Company (KPMFC) based in Lubuagan to which they responded by setting up a checkpoint.
    As a result, the five individuals were apprehended.
    Confiscated from them were 17 bricks of dried marijuana leaves worth P1,803,360; additional marijuana leaves worth P657,600; marijuana in cigarette form worth P1,200 and four sachets of marijuana cookies worth P43,200.
    Inventory of seized items was conducted at site witnessed by Bernadeth Malayao, Dept. of Justice representative and kagawad Edna D. Taotao of Baranagay Dangoy.
    The suspects along with confiscated items to Lubuagan police station.
    The four suspect are now facing charges for violation of Republic 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.