More than P500T-worth marijuana uprooted in Danao

CEBU, Philippines - About 3,100 fully grown marijuana plants worth more than P500,000 were uprooted by the Danao City police early morning Thursday in the mountain sitio of Panaliwad-on, Barangay Langosig, Danao City.

The police were supposed to serve an alias warrant for rape against Catalino Baldapan when they saw the marijuana plants.

The warrant was signed by Judge Edito Enemecio of Regional Trial Court Branch 25 on September 30, 2009.

Baldapan was reportedly hiding at the place but was able to elude arrest when he saw the presence of the police who arrived at 5:00 a.m.

Insp. Romeo Caacoy, team leader, told The FREEMAN that the said plantation was located near the hut where Baldapan was hiding.

No one was arrested though.

Caacoy said they are still conducting a follow up operation to identify the possible cultivator of the marijuana plants.

Pieces of evidence recovered were taken to the Danao City Police Station.

Two weeks ago, about 2,500 marijuana plants were also uprooted in Badian. No one was arrested.  (FREEMAN)