P4 million in pot seized

CEBU, Philippines — An estimated P4 million worth of marijuana plants were confiscated from three marijuana plantations in Barangay Gaas, Balamban, Cebu.

The joint operation was conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7, Naval Forces Central, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, and the Provincial Mobile Force Company around 7 a.m. yesterday.

This led to uprooting a total of 10,300 marijuana plants in the area.

Three cultivators were spotted, but they managed to escape after sensing an operation was being conducted by the authorities.

"Cultivators were identified as Albert Singko, Rolando Batoctoy, and Sutero Lagdas, but they eluded arrest after sensing the approaching authorities through the steep terrain," PDEA-7 spokeswoman Leia Albiar Alcantara said.

The information regarding the whereabouts of the three marijuana plantations came from a confidential informant who reported to the PDEA.

Those who are caught cultivating marijuana can face a fine of P500,000 up to P10 million along with life imprisonment as stated in section 16 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The uprooted marijuana plants were burned after samples were taken.

PDEA also encouraged residents to help the authorities by reporting any marijuana plantations in the area.

"Authorities are urging the communities to report any marijuana plantation in the areas, especially those hard to reach, as in these areas. Usually the residents are the ones more familiar with the terrain," Alcantara added. — Hanna D. Tejada, USC intern BRP (FREEMAN)