Pubdate: Thu, 26 May 2005
Source: Manila Bulletin (The Philippines)
Contact:  http://www.mb.com.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/906
Author: Freddie Velez
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

P229-M MARIJUANA DESTROYED

CAMP DANGWA,La Trinidad, Benguet-A week-long anti-illegal drug
operation by Cordillera policemen resulted in the destruction of 11.9
hectares of marijuana plantation at Ahin, Tinoc, Ifugao, police
reported the other day.

Marijuana plants worth some R229,664,000 were uprooted, it was
reported. In a report to Chief Supt. Noe Albano Wong, Cordillera
regional police director Supt. Richard A. Albano, deputy regional
police director for intelligence and investigation, stated joint
forces of Ifugao Provincial Police Office, Regional Police Mobile
Group, PDEA, CIDG and Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operation Task Group
uprooted 1,085,000 fully grown marijuana valued at R217,000,000 and
316,600 marijuana seedlings valued at R12,664,000.

Albano said the marijuana plants were planted together with corn at
the mountainside. Recently, Wong led the uprooting of marijuana plants
at sitio Mulam, the last of the four sitios of Ahin where the seven
plantations were located. Wong witnessed the torching of the illegal
drugs during the ceremonial burning at the area last May 21.

During the dialogue with the community residents, which was held at
sitio Mulam right after the ceremonial burning, and participated by
Wong, the people of Tinglayan, Kalinga and Kapangan, Benguet blamed
the lack of farm-to-market roads for their meager income.
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