P6M marijuana plants uprooted in Danao City

CEBU, Philippines — In a span of two days, operatives uprooted almost P6 million worth of marijuana plants in two mountain barangays of Danao City.

Yesterday morning, operatives of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) -7 in a joint operation with the Cebu Provincial Police Office Public Safety Company and Danao City Police Station uprooted around 8,925 fully grown marijuana plants in Barangay Togonon, Danao City.

PDEA 7 Spokesperson Leia Albiar told The FREEMAN that Danao City police received reports from the community regarding the presence of a marijuana plantation in the area.  This prompted the operatives to coordinate with PDEA and conduct the operation.

The alleged cultivator identified as Julito Batucan, a resident of the said place, eluded arrest.

However, Albiar said that a case will still be filed against Batucan for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Last Wednesday, more than P2. 1 million worth of marijuana plants were also uprooted in Barangay Sibacan, Danao City during the preventive patrol conducted by Danao police in the area.

The Sibacan is just adjacent to Togonon.

The alleged cultivator, Reynaldo Cal, also eluded arrest.

A total of 84 marijuana plants were brought to PDEA 7 for evidence purposes while the rest were burned in the area due to bad weather and difficult terrain.

Barangay Togonon is about 20 kilometers from Danao City proper.  (FREEMAN)