Over 2,000 marijuana stalks seized in Carmen, Balamban

CEBU, Philippines – A total of 2,978 fully grown marijuana stalks amounting to P600,000 were uprooted in Carmen and Balamban towns last Tuesday.

A joint operation of the Provincial Intelligence Board, Carmen Police, Regional Intelligence Unit 7, 78th Infantry Battalion and 52nd Infantry Battalion raided a plantation in sitio Cape, Barangay Hagnaya, Carmen, which yielded 1,478 marijuana stalks.

Provincial Police Director Senior Supt. Erson Digal said last Tuesday was the second time they uprooted marijuana stalks from Carmen. The operation was headed by Police Supt. Rodolfo Albotra.

No one was arrested during the raid and the owner of the plantation remains unidentified.

In Balamban, the team seized 1,500 marijuana stalks from a plantation located in sitio Pange, Barangay Magsaysay, the third that a plantation was found in the barangay this month.

Police said marijuana plants grow rapidly in areas that enjoy cold weather like the town of Balamban. Digal said operators often choose to plant marijuana in abandoned properties so that authorities will have a difficult time tracing the plantation to someone.

Digal said they will not cease combing the area to seize more plantations, especially that the demand for it has reportedly increased, as it is more affordable compared to other illegal drugs like shabu. A stick of marijuana is reportedly being sold to as low as P10.

"Niminos ang shabu tungod kay mahal compare sa marijuana," Digal said.

Digal expressed appreciation to residents in the towns who cooperate with authorities by giving information about the presence of marijuana in their areas. He said the support of citizens is what strengthens the campaign against illegal drugs.

Just last Monday, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 7 (PDEA) acting Director Adrian Alvarino claimed that the drug situation in Cebu Province is under control, but failed to show proof to support his statement. (FREEMAN)