Pubdate: Thu, 17 Mar 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, Northern Luzon Bureau
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

LA UNION COPS BURN P7.2M 'GREEN GOLD'

CAMP DIEGO SILANG, La Union: The La Union police, headed by Sr. Supt. 
Samuel Diciano, destroyed some 36,000 fully grown marijuana plants - they 
now call "green gold" - with an estimated value of P7.2 million.

Diciano said the plants were accidentally found by his men while conducting 
patrols against insurgents in the mountainous areas of Santol, La Union.

"While the team [of policemen] moved toward the upland Barangay of Tubaday, 
it sighted the plantation through a telescope. The plants were scattered in 
an area of at least one hectare," he said.

Diciano reported that marijuana was planted in a thickly forested land, 
which is near the boundary of Ilocos Sur, La Union and Benguet. The police 
said no one among the residents in the nearby village of Kibungan, Benguet, 
could identify the cultivators.

The destruction of the marijuana plants was conducted more than three days; 
some of the plants were taken to the police headquarters for evidence.

Diciano said his team has also intensified its campaign against marijuana 
after launching "Oplan Green Gold."
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