P1.6M worth of marijuana plants found in Balamban

CEBU, Philippines — More than P1.6 million worth of fully grown marijuana plants were uprooted from land reported to be government property in Barangay Bayong, Balamban on Friday morning by the operatives of Balamban police and the Philippine Army.

Senior Police Officer 3 Jose Ranielito Villarino, case investigator, said they are still investigating the identity and whereabouts of the cultivator.

Villarino said they received a report from a concerned citizen regarding the marijuana plantation in the area.

The police immediately verified the report and coordinated with the Philippine Army for a joint operation.

The area is described by Villarino as mountainous estimated to be some 10 to 12 kilometers away from Barangay Poblacion.

Operatives of Balamban police and the Philippine Army uprooted some 8,341 fully grown marijuana plants with an estimated Dangerous Drugs Board value of P1,668,200.

"Wala'y nakaila sa cultivator. Ang mga nagpuyo duol sa area nag-ingon nga kadlawon daw mag-anhaan ang cultivator ug wala sila makaila," said Villarino in a phone interview with The FREEMAN.

Villarino added that this is not the first time that they uprooted marijuana plants in the area.

"Naka-ibot na pud mi diha dugay-dugay na. Kami ra sad ang bantayan sa mga cultivator," Villarino said.

Police are still checking whether the land is indeed owned by the government.

The operatives took several marijuana plants as evidence and burned the rest.

No bail

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office has recommended no bail for a man arrested last December 5 for allegedly selling and possessing dangerous drugs.

Prosecutor II Venice Balansag held Domineciano Calunsag, a resident of C. Padilla St., Barangay Pahina-San Nicolas, Cebu City, for trial after finding probable cause for Sections 5 (selling of dangerous drugs) and 11 (possession of dangerous drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

In an inquest proceeding, Calunsag, believed to be actively engaged in selling and proliferation of shabu along C. Padilla Street, chose not to undergo preliminary investigation before the prosecutor's office to answer the complaints filed against him. Instead, he manifested to face the charges in court.

On December 5, the office of the Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-7 received a report of the alleged illegal activities of Calunsag.

Acting on the report, PDEA-7 then prepared to conduct a buy-bust operation against Calunsag.

With P32,000 as buy-bust money, a poseur-buyer together with the operatives proceeded to the residence of Calunsag at 4:10 a.m. on December 6 and bought five grams of shabu.

Operatives said that after the transaction was completed, they placed Calunsag under arrest.

When they weigh the shabu, it only weighed some 4.9929 grams.

Aside from 4.9929 grams seized during the bust, operatives also recovered some 25.1460 grams of shabu from the possession of Calunsag. (FREEMAN)