Pubdate: Tue, 13 Sep 2005
Source: Manila Bulletin (The Philippines)
Contact:  http://www.mb.com.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/906
Author: Magtanggol C. Vilar
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

2,000 MARIJUANA PLANTS UPROOTED IN NUEVA ECIJA

CARRANGLAN, Nueva Ecija - Senior Supt. Alex Paul I. Monteagudo,
provincial police director, reported yesterday the uprooting of some
2,000 fully grown high-grade marijuana plants in a mountainous area
here.

The "hot weeds" have a street value of some R600,000, police
said.

The discovery of the marijuana plantation is the second since July 16
raid on a farm in Sitio Cabulinawan, Barangay Piut, this town, where
policemen uprooted 470 fully grown marijuana plants.

Military intelligence reports stated that New People's Army (NPA)
rebels have shifted to the planting of marijuana which is now main
source of funds for their operating expenses following the permanent
stoppage of "jueteng" operations in the province.

The raid on the marijuana farm at Sitio Sawmill, Barangay Piut was
conducted by a joint team composed of elements of the local police,
the Provincial Mobile Group (PMG) and the Army. It was led by PMG
director Supt. Peter D. Guibong.

Following the discovery of the "hot weeds" plantation, Monteagudo
ordered the intensification of "Operation Banat" in search of
marijuana plants which are believed to abound here.

Senior Inspector Angelito Dioquino Ramos, town police chief, reported
a total of 2,000 fruiting marijuana plants, measuring an average of
eight feet, were discovered at the farm owned by one Domingo Bestre,
reportedly an Igorot.

Bestre managed to escape. The hot weeds have a street value of
R600,000, Dioquino said.

After a chemical analysis of the marijuana plants, Chief Inspector
Cresencio de Asis, chief of the Scene of Crime Office, reported that
the plants of the fiveleaf variety were "high grade."

In a related move, Monteagudo directed Supt. Roel B. Obusan, chief of
the provincial intelligence and investigation, to intensify
intelligence gathering to pinpoint several reported locations of
marijuana plantations in the forested areas of this town.
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