Pubdate: Sun, 30 May 2004
Source: Sunstar General Santos (Philippines)
Copyright: 2004, Sunstar
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/gensan/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2450
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

FARMER NABBED FOR GROWING MARIJUANA

A farmer growing marijuana in a remote village in Tampakan town, South 
Cotabato was nabbed last week.

Combined elements of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 12, police, 
and the Army's 57th IB swooped down on suspected marijuana cultivator 
Bangamino Balsote, alyas Menot, a resident of Sitio Tapikong, Barangay 
Pulabato in Tampakan.

Balsote has been reportedly planting marijuana for a year now, admitting 
that planting corn is no longer productive.

SPO1 Gerardo Dela Rosa, PDEA 12 team leader in South Cotabato, said Balsote 
has been under surveillance after the barangay council of Pulabato tipped 
off authorities about his illegal activity.

"Eventually caught him last May 26 at his residence in Sitio Tapikong where 
we also found marijuana plants in his backyard," Dela Rosa revealed.

Authorities seized from the residence of Balsote 58 heels of fully-grown 
marijuana plants and 178 marijuana plant seedlings ready for planting.

Dela Rosa said the seized marijuana plants have an estimated market value 
of P80,000.

"We already forwarded the seized marijuana plants to the police crime 
laboratory here in General Santos for examination, while the suspect is 
currently detained at Tampakan Police station," the PDEA official said.

He added that they have already filed a case against Balsote at the 
Municipal Trial Court in Tampakan.

Dela Rosa also said the court recommended no bail for Balsote who, he said, 
could suffer a life imprisonment or death sentence if found guilty.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager