Pubdate: Fri, 21 Jan 2005
Source: Manila Times (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005, The Manila Times
Contact:  http://www.manilatimes.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921
Author: Jun Elias And Harley Palangchao
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

POLICE DESTROY P70-M MARIJUANA PLANTATION

CAMP OSCAR FLORENDO, La Union: Policemen from the regional police office
here and Ilocos Sur have uprooted hundreds of thousands of marijuana plants
in Sugpon, Ilocos Sur, amounting to more than P70 million and confiscated
one carbine firearm.

The police disclosed that around 300,000 fully grown and 15,000 newly
planted marijuana plants were found by the raiding team at the area of
Mt. Nacmy and Mt. Maalatay in Sitio Nava of the said town.

The policemen took three days to uproot the plants. They started the
operation on Tuesday.

Deputy Director General Ricardo de Leon, head of the Anti-Illegal Drug
Special Operations Task Force, supervised the uprooting and
destruction of the marijuana plants on Thursday.

De Leon told The Manila Times that the operation is in line with
President Arroyo's directive that the police conduct a vigorous
campaign against illegal drugs and pinpoint marijuana plantations and
drug laboratories.

He said the task force is concentrating on marijuana because at least
60 percent of the shabu supply has already been "neutralized" and they
are expecting drug addicts to resort to marijuana.

"We are pinpointing all marijuana plantations because it is the best
alternative to shabu. Shabu supply has gone down and people will now
resort to marijuana. We hope to eradicate marijuana and we will make
sure that no finished product would enter the market," de Leon said.

He admitted that the Ilocos region is one of the major producers of
marijuana and many plantations are located within the boundaries of
Ilocos Sur, La Union and Benguet.

De Leon said they are looking into the identity of the suspect who
escaped during the operation and that they are also conducting
investigations to find out if there are protectors in the cultivation
of the illegal plants. 
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