3 caught smuggling P4.3M worth of marijuana in Kalinga

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Authorities seized around P4.3 million worth of marijuana bricks from three alleged drug smugglers from Valenzuela City at a checkpoint in Brgy. Dangoy, Lubuagan, Kalinga.

The individuals, residents of Paso de Blas, Valenzuela City, whose identities are withheld, were apprehended by a joint operation involving the 2nd Kalinga Provincial Mobile Force Company, Lubuagan town police, Kalinga provincial police intelligence operatives, provincial police anti-drug unit operatives and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Kalinga.

The suspects attempted to evade the established checkpoint at Sitio Dinakan, Brgy Dangoy in Lubuagan but were captured by law enforcement.

Upon inspection of their vehicle, authorities discovered 35 dried marijuana bricks and one tubular piece of dried marijuana, weighing approximately 36 kilograms. The total standard drug price of the confiscated items amounts to P4,320,000.00.

The cannabis underwent on-site inventory with the presence of DOJ representative Kelvin Owek, Kagawad Botsie Pilaked and media representative Hermenegilda Chico.

The three individuals, along with the confiscated items, were brought to the Lubuagan police station to face charges for violating Republic Act No. 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.