Pubdate: Fri, 03 Dec 2004
Source: Manila Times (Philippines)
Copyright: 2004, The Manila Times
Contact:  http://www.manilatimes.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921
Author: Harley Palangchao, Northern Luzon Bureau
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

POLICE BURN P15-M WORTH OF MARIJUANA IN BENGUET

CAMP DANGWA, Benguet-The Kapangan town police dealt a telling blow against 
illegal drugs when it destroyed close to P15-million worth of fully grown 
marijuana plants and seedlings in two separate operations.

Mayor Rogelio Leon and other officials of Kapangan witnessed the 
destruction of the uprooted marijuana, which were discovered in three 
separate locations in Mt. Gungigong, Sitio Laoangan in Barangay Gadang on 
November 29.

The marijuana was destroyed four days after the Kapangan police, led by 
Senior Insp. Darnell Dulnuan, uprooted more or less 20,000 fully grown 
marijuana plants with an estimated market value of P4 million.

The marijuana plantations were discovered in Barangay Gadang, which is 
gaining notoriety being the favorite place for marijuana plantations.

Since November 15, the Kapangan police destroyed at least P30-million worth 
of marijuana plants and seedlings, including P11-million worth of dope on 
November 16.

The intensified operation against marijuana was launched after Leon vowed 
to rid his town of marijuana while his administration is exerting efforts 
to provide alternative livelihood programs to the poverty-stricken Kapangan 
residents.

Senior Supt. Villamor Bu-manglag, the Benguet provincial police director, 
reported that the police are also closely monitoring the towns of Kibungan 
and Bakun, where concerned residents reported marijuana plantations.

Region-wide, Cordillera police have destroyed P250-million worth of 
marijuana plants and seedlings since the start of the year.

Senior Supt. Rodrigo Licudine, head of the regional anti-illegal drug 
special operation task group, reported that around 67 persons were also 
arrested for violating the Comprehensive Antidrugs Act since January.

The arrests were results of 31 buy bust, 12 marijuana destruction 
procedures, 7 raids and checkpoints undertaken by Cordillera police during 
the period.
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