Sulu marijuana plantation raided

MANILA, Philippines - Marines raided a marijuana plantation in the outskirts of Maimbung town and uprooted fully-grown marijuana plants with an estimated street value of P8 million.

The operation of the Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) in Barangay Gulangan did not result to any arrest or fighting. The Abu Sayyaf is reportedly maintaining the marijuana plantation to generate funds to sustain their illegal activities.

Col. Omar Tonsay, Philippine Navy spokesman, said the uprooted marijuana plants were brought to the headquarters of the 3rd Marine Brigade (3MBDE) in Jolo for proper disposal.

“The raid proved to be a successful achievement following carefully planned and executed intelligence and tactical operations by elements of the 3MBDE and the MBLT-2 as well as well-coordinated interagency operations between the Marines and PDEA,” 3MBDE commander Brig. Gen. Remigio Valdez said.

Maimbung is a known staging point of kidnapping and terror attacks against government and civilian targets of the Abu Sayyaf in the province.

“In our past encounters, these young Abu Sayyaf members were very aggressive because they were taking illegal drugs,” a senior military commander formerly assigned in Sulu said.

He said Abu Sayyaf leaders and their lawless allies in the province are also engaged in the illegal drug trade.