‘Marijuana queen’ nabbed, P.5M dried leaves seized

CEBU, Philippines — A 23-year-old transgender who is described by police as ‘marijuana queen’ was nabbed in an anti-drug operation in Silangan, Barangay Tejero, Cebu City yesterday dawn.

The suspect is identified as Junemar Magbasa Cabahug, also known as Kharla and Marijuana Queen, and a native of Davao Del Sur.

He allegedly had in his possession almost P.5 million worth of dried marijuana leaves.

Chief Inspector Maria Theresa Macatangay told reporters in a press conference that they received reports from the community about Cabahug and his illegal business.  His clients reportedly include students.

Macatangay said her team planned to have a buy-bust operation in Purok Tres, Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City but Cabahug, requested to move the meet up area to Barangay Tejero.

A covert cop transacted with him and paid P2,000 for a glass jar containing crushed dried marijuana leaves.

This led to his arrest. The police brought him to his boarding house nearby and there they seized four more jars of crushed marijuana leaves and two plastic packs with marijuana stalks.

Macatangay said a stick of marijuana leaves would cost P120 making the estimated value of the evidence seized at around P480,000.

She added Cabahug has been selling marijuana leaves for four years now but he is very elusive.

“He has been selling illegal drugs for quite some time, about 4 years, pero idlas lang gyud ni siya maong karon pa ni siya nadakpan,” she said.

However, in a separate interview, Cabahug denied ownership of the seized marijuana leave.  He refused to answer any further questions.

Macatangay urged the community to be vigilant in their surroundings and report suspicious behavior to authorities so as to prevent the proliferation of illegal drugs.

Cabahug is temporarily detained in Abellana Police Station pending filing of charges for possession and selling of illegal drugs, a violation of Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Meanwhile, at around 10 a.m. yesterday, personnel of the Cebu Mobile Force Company led by Superintendent Christopher Navida uprooted 300 stalks of newly-planted marijuana in the upland area of Sitio Mapa, Barangay Tagba-o, Cebu City.  No one was arrested though.

All the marijuana stalks confiscated were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for proper disposal.  (FREEMAN)