Pubdate: Mon, 17 Oct 2005
Source: Manila Times (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005, The Manila Times
Contact:  http://www.manilatimes.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921
Author: Jeannette I. Andrade
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

P16-M MARIJUANA UPROOTED

SOME P16-million worth of fully grown marijuana plants were uprooted
and destroyed in antidrug operations by the Ilocos Sur Provincial
Police Office in five plantations in the province.

Reports reaching the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp
Crame revealed that the simultaneous antinarcotic operations were
conducted at around 6:30 a.m. Friday by elements of the Antiillegal
Drugs Special Operations Task Group, with the assistance of the 104th
Provincial Police Mobile Group and the Alilem Police station.

The operations in five plantations at Barangay Amilongan, Alilem,
Ilocos Sur, and at the boundary of Bakun and Barangay Kayapa, Benguet,
led to the destruction of some 80,000 marijuana plants.

A sample of the uprooted plants was brought back to the Ilocos Sur
police office while the rest were torched at the plantations.
However, no arrests were made by the police operatives.

Officials of the Camp Crame-based Antiillegal Drugs Special Operations
Task Force had noted the resurgence of marijuana as the narcotic of
choice among drug addicts, with the supply of methamphetamine
hydrochloride, or shabu, at an all-time low.

There are 107 identified marijuana plantations around the country at
present, from a low of nine three decades ago when they were first
discovered.

Based on police records, there is an upsurge in the rate of
confiscation and eradication of the illegal drug.  In 2002 the task
force operatives destroyed about 5.11-million marijuana plants and
seedlings.

The following year, they eradicated 5.29 million.  A vast reduction of
seizures was posted in 2004 at 2.38 million.  This year, the group was
able to destroy 8.03-million plants and seedlings.

The drug syndicates are eyeing the sale of other methamphetamine
derivatives, such as the date-rape drug ketamine. 
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